Taking Care of Yourself in a Heatwave

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• Sweating is the body's predominant way to alleviate heat when ambient temperature exceeds body temperature,
• When heat stress exceeds the body's ability to sweat, people need to access indoor or outdoor cooling to avoid heat-related illnesses and exacerbations of medical conditions
• Currently, about 30 percent of the human population lives where extreme  temperature and humidity exposures result in excess mortality for at least 20 days of the year. This may increase to 50 to 75 percent of all people within this century due to climate change

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Chronic conditions: 

- Diabetes mellitus

- Cardiovascular disease

- Chronic obstructive lung disease and asthma

- Chronic kidney disease

- Mental health disorders

- Dementia

- Pregnancy

Medications:

- Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors

- Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs)

- Beta blockers

- Diuretics

- Antipsychotics

- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
- Intramuscular epinephrine and inhaled albuterol delivery devices may deliver lower medication doses or no dose at all with extreme heat exposure
Biology & Social Determinants of Health
- Men
- Extremes of age
- Outdoor workers
- Athletes
- Unable to access/afford AC
- Homelessness
- Social isolation
- Patients with limited mobility
- Patients who are less well physiologically/behaviorally adapted to hear
- Patients living in urban heat islands

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Be aware of heat events
- Keep a thermostat in the home
- Identify temperatures that increase your patient's risk for heat illness
Stay hydrated
- Avoid sugary drinks, alcohol, caffeine

Avoid Over-heating
- Do outdoor activities before 11 am OR after 6 pm
- Wearing loose-fitting, lightweight, and light-colored clothing.
- Wearing sunscreen and a hat when outside.
Find cooling options for home or in the community
- Fans, AC, public cooling centers, splash pads, pools, libraries, religious orgs, neighbors' homes if safe
An effective heat plan includes how to access weather forecasts, tips for staying safe, and a plan for how to stay cool when it gets hot

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