Why is hot weather more likely to cause stroke?

(Illustrative image. Source: Getty Images)

During the sweltering summer days, concerns about heatstroke become a major worry for many. Anyone can be at risk of heatstroke, but does high temperature increase this risk?

The truth is that hot weather can worsen certain medical conditions, including stroke. Healthcare facilities frequently experience a surge in emergency cases due to heatstroke and stroke during the summer months compared to other times of the year.

But what causes heatstroke? What are the signs that someone might be having a stroke? And if it happens, how should they react?

Why is hot weather more likely to cause stroke?

Research has confirmed a significant link between stroke risk and ambient temperature. In particular, increased ambient temperature is one of the main factors that increases the likelihood of stroke.

Specifically, this risk can increase by about 10% for some individuals with a 1-degree Celsius increase in temperature.

When temperatures are high, the body has to regulate its temperature, leading to increased sweating and dehydration. If adequate hydration is not replenished, dehydration will cause blood vessels to constrict and reduce blood circulation, leading to increased blood pressure and the risk of blood clots in the arteries, thereby increasing the likelihood of stroke.

Excessive body temperature due to heat can also affect the regulatory function of the central nervous system, causing disruptions in the circulatory and respiratory systems, leading to oxygen deficiency in the brain.

Furthermore, prolonged hot weather can weaken the cardiovascular system, reducing its efficiency in pumping blood to the body's organs, especially the brain.

It's also important to note that a sudden change from a hot environment to a cold one can cause blood vessels to constrict, increasing blood pressure and raising the risk of stroke.

Signs of stroke due to hot weather.

Heatstroke is a dangerous condition that can exacerbate many risk factors. If left undetected and untreated, it not only threatens life but can also leave severe aftereffects such as communication difficulties, weakness, or lifelong disability.

Therefore, early awareness of the signs of heatstroke, as well as other causes, is extremely important in order to protect the lives of patients.

So how do you recognize if someone might be having a heatstroke? Symptoms include headache, dizziness, blurred vision, feeling hot but not sweating, weakness or numbness, paralysis on one side or the whole body, facial asymmetry, seizures, rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, mental confusion, and disorientation. Additionally, fainting may occur, followed by a weak pulse or coma.

Delays in providing medical assistance can put patients at a very high risk of death.

Distinguishing between heatstroke and heat exhaustion

Heat exhaustion and heatstroke often have quite similar symptoms, making it difficult to distinguish them immediately. Therefore, the best course of action when noticing any unusual symptoms related to heat is to quickly go to the hospital for timely examination.

However, while waiting for professional intervention, you can temporarily differentiate between these two conditions by paying attention to the amount of sweat.

Heatstroke damages the body's thermoregulation system, causing the skin to become dry and hot due to the disruption of sweat secretion.

Conversely, heat exhaustion causes the body to sweat profusely, leaving the skin damp.

How to treat heatstroke

When someone suffers a heatstroke, prompt emergency care is crucial to minimize the risk of serious complications, such as coma, multiple organ failure, brain damage, and in severe cases, death.

Here are the steps to take if someone suffers a heatstroke:

- Call emergency services immediately: This is the first and most important step to ensure timely assistance from medical professionals.

- Move the patient to a cool place: Immediately move the patient out of the hot area and to a cool, well-ventilated place to quickly reduce their temperature.

- Cooling the body: You can wet your skin with cold water or apply a wet towel to your body. If you have a fan, use it to help cool down more quickly.

- Remove some clothing: Gently remove layers of clothing to help the body release heat more easily.

-Ensure an open airway: Position the patient with their head elevated and ensure the airway is unobstructed.

- Monitor for serious health signs: While waiting for medical assistance, closely monitor the patient's vital signs and be prepared to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) if necessary.

- Quickly transport the patient to the nearest medical facility for prompt emergency treatment.

- Please note that during first aid, do not give the patient food, drink, or any medication without consulting a doctor. This could cause the patient to choke and aspirate into their lungs, threatening their life.

- In cases where a person suffering from heatstroke or heat exhaustion has stopped breathing (no pulse detected), artificial respiration should be performed quickly using mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and chest compressions.

Instructions on how to perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation correctly.

- Position the patient with their neck extended and tilted to one side.

- Use a cloth or gauze to remove saliva and phlegm, and place a handkerchief around the patient's mouth.

- Use your index finger and thumb to pinch the patient's nose shut and blow air directly into their mouth.

Instructions on how to perform chest compressions correctly.

- Place both hands on top of each other and position them on the patient's chest (just outside the heart), with the hands at a 90-degree angle to the chest.

- Use force to compress the chest at 100 times per minute.

- If only one person is available to provide first aid, alternate 2-3 breaths of artificial respiration with 10-15 chest compressions.

- If there are two rescuers, each should take on a role involving artificial respiration or chest compressions and persistently perform first aid until the heart starts beating again and the patient regains breathing.

How to prevent stroke caused by hot weather.

To minimize the risk of stroke during periods of hot and humid weather, everyone should proactively take necessary preventive measures.

Here are some effective methods to prevent the harmful effects of heat, helping to minimize the risk of facing serious complications:

Regular health checkups and stroke screenings.

Regular general health checkups and stroke screenings are essential for early detection of risk factors leading to stroke, thereby enabling effective preventive measures.

The goal of stroke screening is to utilize advanced technology and techniques, along with modern equipment, to detect early potential factors such as narrowing, blockage, aneurysm, rupture, or malformation of cerebral blood vessels, as well as other related underlying conditions.

Scientific diet

Ensure adequate hydration: Your body needs to absorb about 2 liters of water per day to prevent dehydration, thereby reducing the risk of stroke due to blood clots. Remember to spread your water intake throughout the day and avoid consuming too much water in a short period of time.

Maintain a varied and nutritious diet: Increase your consumption of fruits, vegetables, and foods containing healthy fats. Foods like avocados, nuts, fatty fish, and olives can lower cholesterol, reduce the risk of atherosclerosis, improve cardiovascular health, and lower the risk of high blood pressure. Therefore, they contribute to reducing the risk of stroke during hot weather.

Limit direct exposure to strong sunlight.

Minimizing direct sun exposure between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. can reduce the risk of heatstroke and heat exhaustion.

When outdoor activities are necessary during this time, wearing sun-protective clothing and a wide-brimmed hat is essential. In particular, those with weak health, a history of stroke, or underlying conditions related to stroke such as heart disease, diabetes, and hypertension should prioritize working and living in shaded environments to avoid harmful sun exposure.

Additionally, avoid sudden transitions from hot to cold environments, as this can lead to vasoconstriction and increased blood pressure, thus increasing the risk of stroke. Using air conditioning at a safe temperature between 26 and 28 degrees Celsius is also a reasonable protective measure.

Physical training

Regular exercise is essential to boost immunity, thereby helping to protect the body against the risk of diseases, including heatstroke.

In hot weather, it's best to prioritize indoor exercises such as aerobics, treadmill running, yoga, and jump rope. At the same time, limit participation in outdoor sports activities like running, cycling, football, or volleyball to minimize health risks.

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