Wildfire Smoke and Heart Disease

If you have heart disease:

• Before wildfire season:
  • Talk to your healthcare provider. Plan how you will protect yourself against wildfire smoke.
  • Stock up on medicine. Store a 7 to 10-day supply of prescription medicines in a waterproof, childproof container to take with you if you evacuate.
  • Buy groceries you won’t need to cook. Frying or grilling especially can make indoor air pollution worse.
• During a wildfire smoke event:
  • Pay attention to air quality reportsexternal icon. Follow instructions about exercise and going outside for “sensitive individuals.”
  • Follow your healthcare provider’s advice.
  • Think about evacuating if you have trouble breathing or other symptoms that do not get better. If you have heart palpitations, unusual , or shortness of breath, or other symptoms of a heart attack, contact your healthcare provider.
• After a wildfire:
  • Do not return home until you are told it is safe to do so.
  • Look out for any symptoms. Contact your healthcare provider if you have trouble breathing, shortness of breath, cough that won’t stop, or other symptoms that do not go away. Call 9-1-1 or go right away to an emergency department for medical emergencies like severe trouble breathing, chest pain, or if you think you are having a heart attack or stroke.
  • Smoke can stay in the air inside buildings and outdoors days after wildfires have ended so continue to check local air quality.