People with chest or heart conditions are advised that today’s forecasted high winds and the potential for raised dust could exacerbate their conditions.
The Department for Health and Wellbeing’s Chief Public Health Officer, Associate Professor Nicola Spurrier, is recommending people with pre-existing chest or heart conditions to stay indoors and follow their personal management plans.
“The Bureau of Meteorology have advised of expected high winds and dust,” Assoc. Prof Spurrier said.
“High levels of dust can aggravate conditions such as asthma, emphysema, bronchitis and other respiratory diseases.
“We also know that high levels of dust can be associated with an increased risk of cardiac events such as heart attacks.
“We advise people with these medical concerns to avoid exposure to dust, stay indoors, take medication as usual and avoid exercise in areas of high dust.
“While everyone may feel discomfort during dust storms, the people who need to be most alert to these weather conditions are those with pre-existing conditions.”
The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) have advised that very hot with damaging northerly winds are expected to impact people in the West Coast, Lower Eyre Peninsula, Eastern Eyre Peninsula, Yorke Peninsula, Kangaroo Island and parts of the Mount Lofty Ranges, Mid North and North West Pastoral districts.
The strongest winds are expected from around midday to mid-afternoon and the front is expected to move across central parts including Adelaide and the Mount Lofty Ranges, early Thursday morning.
Health impacts of dust also can include irritation to the eyes, nose and skin, which can be alleviated by washing the area well with water.
For more susceptible people, it can cause a range of issues including difficulty in breathing and people with asthma should have an asthma action plan and follow it at all times.
Additionally, people with asthma should carry their reliever medication at all times, even when they are feeling well.
