How the Summer Sun affects your Blood Pressure

Sun and heat come hand in hand, and with the heat, you need to be careful and think about how it’ll affect your body – especially your blood pressure.

It’s quite common to assume that your blood pressure would rise with the heat; heat causes your body temperature to rise, so it only sounds right that it causes your blood pressure to rise too.

In this blog, we highlight what actually goes on with your blood pressure during the summer sun.

Up or Down?

It could be assumed that because your temperature rises in the heat of the sun, your blood pressure would increase too – some of us go red from being hot, surely that’s to do with our blood pressure?

It may come as a surprise to some, but it’s been found that the sun actually lowers your blood pressure!

Researchers from the Universities of Southampton and Edinburgh reported in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology that exposure to sunlight increases an individual’s nitric oxide (NO) levels, which can lower their blood pressure.

This investigation consisted of 24 individuals being exposed to UV tanning lamps for two, twenty-minute sessions. 12 of these individuals were covered in foil and not exposed to UVA rays, whereas the remaining 12 were exposed. The 12 who were exposed to the UVA rays displayed dilated blood vessels, reduced blood pressure and an increase in Nitric Oxide levels.

The blood pressure drop wasn’t significant, as the results had only dropped two to five points, but still, it is a noteworthy finding. Martin Feelisch, PhD, a professor at the University of Southampton who conducted the research stated that this is a “mild effect”, “but if you repeat this study in people with high blood pressure, I would predict you will see a more substantial drop”.

Feelisch also stated: “Avoiding sunlight or using sunblock constantly out of fear of skin cancer could be a new risk factor for heart disease”. The professor isn’t suggesting here that people should consistently sunbathe or hit the sunbeds in the hopes of significantly lowering their blood pressure – he recommends simply spending a moderate amount of time outdoors.

Stay Safe in the Sun

It’s important to enjoy the sun while it lasts – especially in the UK! But whilst you enjoy it, you should also take the protective measures of seeking shade and using sun cream when you feel it will be beneficial to you and your family.

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