As the
humidity and heat of summer are upon us, the American Heart Association wants
to make sure you are prepared for heat stroke.
When
temperatures rise outside, it can be hard to regulate your own body
temperature.
Dr.
Nupoor Narula, a cardiologist at Weill Cornell Medical Center, says it’s
important to know the signs of heat stroke so you can get the proper help.
Rapid
pulse, rapid breathing and headaches are common symptoms of heat stroke.
Headaches or altered mental status can cause further symptoms, from confusion
to seizures and loss of consciousness.
Heat
stroke can occur when your body heats up to over 104 degrees. If you’re over 50
years old or have a pre-existing heart condition, Dr. Narula says you should
speak to your doctor about if you need to be outdoors in the heat for extended
periods of time – but young people need to be careful as well.
Heat
exhaustion, while less severe, is also a concern in the summer.
“Limit
your times outdoors as much as possible if you’re able to,” says Dr. Narula.