acclimatization (to heat)
Last reviewed 08/2022
In a hot environment, the following reversible changes occur - acclimatization - to adapt the body:
- cardiovascular system:
- early: increase in heart rate and decrease in stroke volume; overall product is increased cardiac output
- late: overall further increase in cardiac output due to increased stroke volume, increased plasma proteins, and increase in blood volume but decreased heart rate
- thermoregulation: increased physiological sweating
- fluid balance: increased aldosterone secretion, enhancing sodium conservation in kidneys and sweat ducts