The summer of 2026 is testing Ukrainians with two health challenges at once. The heat is high, and fires in the Chornobyl zone have created a smoke trail that has reached Kyiv and worsened the air quality in the capital. At the same time, the state is expanding the list of free medicines for people with cardiovascular diseases from July. Let’s figure out how to reduce the risks in these weeks.
How to Recognize Heat Stroke
Heat damages unnoticed, and the Ministry of Health has published a memo on how to notice heat stroke in time. Alarming signs include high body temperature, reddened hot skin, profuse sweating or its sudden cessation, severe headache, dizziness, nausea, rapid heartbeat, confused consciousness, and loss of consciousness. The appearance of such symptoms requires immediate action.
A person should be moved to a cool, shaded place, excess clothing should be removed, cool wet compresses should be applied to the neck, armpits, and groin, and water should be given in small sips if the person is conscious. Rapid deterioration, loss of consciousness, or seizures are grounds for calling emergency services.
Who is in the High-Risk Group
The most vulnerable to heat are the elderly, young children, pregnant women, and those with chronic heart, vascular, kidney, and respiratory diseases. High temperatures increase the load on the heart and blood vessels, which is why exacerbations occur more often. European countries have already recorded victims of prolonged heat this summer, which further emphasizes the need for caution.
Simple habits can help protect against heat: drinking enough water throughout the day, limiting physical activity during the hottest hours, wearing light, light-colored clothing and headgear, avoiding alcohol and excessive coffee. People with chronic diagnoses should keep prescribed medications at hand and agree with their doctor on whether treatment needs to be adjusted during the heat. Controlling key health indicators is also helped by free health screening for people over 40.
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Smoke and Air Quality
Fires in the Chornobyl zone have reminded us that air in the city can deteriorate even tens of kilometers from the epicenter. Fine smoke particles irritate the respiratory tract and are especially dangerous for people with asthma, chronic lung and heart diseases.
On days with noticeable smog, it is reasonable to keep windows closed, reduce time spent outdoors, postpone intense workouts in the fresh air, and monitor the well-being of children and elderly relatives. The appearance of cough, shortness of breath, or chest pain against the backdrop of smoke is a reason to seek medical help. One should rely on official data on the state of the air in their city.
New Free Medicines for Heart and Vessels
From July 2026, the state is expanding the “Affordable Medicines” program, adding 51 international non-patented names of drugs to it. The new items include means for controlling blood pressure, treating heart failure and rhythm disorders, preventing thrombosis, and lowering cholesterol levels, as well as medications for patients after myocardial infarction and people with an increased risk of stroke.
The expansion comes at a time when heat is additionally loading the cardiovascular system, so for many patients, it is timely. Medicines under the program can be obtained with an electronic prescription from a doctor at pharmacies that have joined the “Affordable Medicines” program — some items are issued free of charge, and some with a small surcharge. Contacting a family doctor will help clarify which of the updated list is suitable in a particular case.
This material is for informational purposes only and does not replace a doctor’s consultation. In case of worsening health, it is worth seeking professional medical help.
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