As Ottawa and the surrounding region emerges from an extended summer heat wave, heart researchers say all that sultry weather can cause cardiovascular damage you might not be aware of.

The latest heat wave lasted nearly a week with temperatures in the low 30s. With the humidity factored in, some days felt above 40.

"Heat makes your heart work really hard. It puts stress on it," said Katey Rayner, vice-president of research and chief scientific officer at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute. "If you already have a heart condition, that just means it's an added layer of stress."

She said exposure to high temperatures can make it difficult to maintain blood flow to certain organs, and can cause a person's blood pressure and heart rate to rise.

Katey Rayner is vice-president of resear

See Full Page