Is Hot and Humid Weather a Deadly Duo?

This article is medically reviewed by Dr Valery Feigin | Professor of Neurology & Epidemiology and Director of NISAN (National Institute for Stroke and Applied Neurosciences), Auckland University of Technology.

If you live in the tropical parts of Asia Pacific, chances are you have complained about the relentless weather. It seems like in this part of the world, we must inevitably endure such unforgiving weather conditions. When we go about our busy day, have we stopped to realize that the weather could be deadly to our health? I am betting the answer is no. Everyday we are at risk of heatstroke, and it does not stop there. As climate change exacerbates this potentially lethal condition, our chances of getting a heat stroke increase profoundly. It is hence, important to understand how we can adapt and overcome the adversities of weather and protect ourselves. 

What is Heatstroke? 

There are many health issues that are tied to heat. There is heat exhaustion, heat rash, heat cramps, rhabdomyolysis and so on. However, the most serious and deadly one is known as heat stroke. A person suffers from heat stroke when their body can no longer control its temperature. As a result, our body temperature could rapidly rise to 106°F (or 41.1°C) within 10 to 15 minutes because the failure of the sweating mechanism inhibits our body from cooling down. If the person does not seek immediate medical attention, this life-threatening condition could mean permanent disability or even death in the worst-case scenario.  

This is an elaborate explanation of heat stroke, but how do I know if I may be suffering from it? Some of the common symptoms include cool, moist skin with goose bumps when in the heart, heavy sweating, a weak, rapid pulse and experiencing low or high blood pressure upon standing. The next time you have these symptoms, keep the possibility of heatstroke at the top of your mind. 

How Does Heat and Humidity Increase Chances of Heatstroke? 

If the atmosphere is hot or humid individually, the risk may not be as high. However, the combination of high heat and humidity can be dangerous. This can be measured in the form of a high heat index, which considers both outdoor temperature and humidity. The classic rule of thumb is that if the heat index is 33°C and higher, we should always take precautionary measures to keep cool. 

In unrelentless heat our body gets dehydrated more easily. If we do not hydrate ourselves adequately and undertake proper pre-exercise measures, our body may not have the ability to regulate our internal temperatures, leading to heat stroke. Additionally, when it is humid, it is difficult for sweat to evaporate as easily, and this means that our body has more trouble cooling itself. 

How to Mitigate Chances of Heatstroke? 

The risk is present for everybody. That is why even professional athletes on television take vast amounts of precautionary measures before their games to ensure their safety and so should you. Before we step out into the sun, we should always tick this checklist beforehand: 

1. Work out in the early morning or evening: This is when the heat emitted from the sun is not as strong. Not to mention, it always feels better to go out in cooling weather. Do avoid 10 am to 4 pm as they are notorious for being the hottest parts of the day. 
    

2. Get acclimated to the heat: Note the importance of building up our adaptability to the weather. We should not overexert ourselves and take our bodies for granted. Plan out a progressive training schedule and take one step at a time. 
    

3. Use a buddy system: Two is always better than one. Find a reliable partner that will ensure your safety when you plan to do physically strenuous activities. 
    

4. Stay hydrated: Ultimately the most pertinent point, we should always drink appropriate amounts of water throughout the day to greatly reduce the heatstroke risk. Listen to your parents and stick to your 8 cups a day. 
    

I Recovered from Heatstroke, Is That The End? 

The truth is that it is never over even after a full recovery. Everyone, especially those who have had a history of heatstroke should always exercise caution. Other than the chance of organ failure of the kidney or liver, it could also cause permanent damage to the nerves in our bodies. Furthermore, the fact that after you have suffered from heatstroke once, it is easier to get it again makes it all the more scary.  

In general, for those who were fortunate not to have experienced the adverse effects of heatstroke, high heat could also increase your risk for an actual stroke, heart attack and other cardiovascular issues such as irregular heartbeat.  

This is where we can stay protected and monitor our heart health with OMRON blood pressure monitor to gauge how much we can exert daily. With OMRON Healthcare’s vision towards ‘Going for Zero’, let us collectively pledge to eliminate heart conditions. 

Learn more about our vision here.