This review examines the effects of heat and cold stress on cardiovascular functions. Heat stress heightens risks of orthostatic hypotension and exercise limitations, while cold stress reduces orthostatic hypotension likelihood, but increases myocardial oxygen demand and blood pressure during exercise. Thermal stresses are categorized as passive or exercise-related, with heat stress posing greater health risks due to global warming. At rest, heat stress causes vasodilation, decreased vascular resistance, increased cardiac output, and changes in heart rate and stroke volume. Cold stress elevates heart rate, left ventricular wall stress, and reduces skin perfusion. During exercise, heat stress raises heart rate and lowers stroke volume, whereas cold stress enhances cardiovascular tolerance and well-being. Understanding these effects is critical for managing risks in occupations exposed to extreme temperatures. Further research is essential to establish risk evaluation tools and preventive measures for thermal stress-related complications.
Keywords: heat stress, cold stress, heart, blood vessels.
Full text sources https://doi.org/10.31688/ABMU.2025.60.1.13
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Tin Hoang NGUYEN
Faculty of Medicine, Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Can Tho City, Vietnam
Department of Functional Exploration, Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital, Can Tho City, Vietnam
Address: No. 179, Nguyen Van Cu Street, An Khanh Ward, Ninh Kieu District, Can Tho City 900000, Vietnam
Email: nhtin@ctump.edu.vn
