Increased heat-related health risks

Key messages

• Victoria is experiencing a rare heatwave event.
• Heat-related illness kills more Australians than any other natural disaster.
• Extreme heat can affect anybody. Those more at-risk include people over the age of 65, babies and young children, pregnant women, people with acute or chronic health problems and people who are socially isolated.
• Heat can cause serious and potentially fatal health problems such as heat exhaustion and heatstroke, trigger sudden events like heart attack or stroke, or worsen existing medical conditions like kidney or lung disease.
• Take steps to protect yourself and others by keeping cool, staying hydrated, planning ahead to avoid the heat and checking in with others.
• Recognising early symptoms of heat-related health problems and taking action is crucial.
• To keep you and others safe, know the risks, be prepared and stay healthy.
• For those people in fire impacted areas that have lost homes but may still be on their properties, we urge them to take extra care in the heat, seek support from their local government or register for supports through the Emergency Recovery Support Hotline – 1800 560 760.
• Healthcare professionals can help reduce heat-related illness by identifying at-risk people and implementing strategies to reduce risk.

What is the issue?

Heat can cause serious and potentially fatal health problems such as heat exhaustion and heatstroke, trigger sudden events like heart attack or stroke, or worsen existing medical conditions like kidney or lung disease.

Who is at risk?

Extreme heat can affect anybody. Those more at-risk include:

• people over the age of 65 years
• infants and young children
• people who are overweight or obese
• pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers
• people who have low cardiovascular fitness
• people who are not acclimatised to hot weather
• people with acute or chronic health problems
• people who are socially isolated.

Symptoms

Know the signs of heat-related health problems

Be on the lookout for signs of dehydration, heat exhaustion, and heatstroke (which can be life threatening), or worsening of chronic medical conditions:

• Dehydration: Thirst, dry mouth, dizziness or altered mental state, passing less urine, or urine that is dark or strong smelling.
  • Recommended action: Move to a cool area and drink fluids.
• Heat exhaustion: Sweating, pale complexion, muscle cramps, rapid pulse, dizziness or fainting.
  • Recommended action: Seek immediate assistance via Nurse-on-call on 1300 60 60 24 for 24-hour health advice, see your doctor or contact Virtual Emergency Care for non life-threatening emergencies, or call 000 if required.
• Heatstroke: Very high body temperature, dry skin, loss of consciousness, confusion, rapid breathing.
  • Recommended action: This is life threatening. Call 000 for an ambulance.

Recommendations

For the general public

Keep cool

• Avoid exposure to the heat as much as possible.
• Use air conditioning and/or a fan.
• Wear light and loose-fitting clothing.
• Keep skin wet, using a spray bottle or damp sponge.
• Take cool showers or foot baths in cool tap water.
• Wrap ice cubes in a damp towel and drape around your neck.
• Block heat from entering your home with blinds or curtains. Open windows and doors if you think it is hotter indoors than outdoors.
• Consider spending some time in a cool place such as an air-conditioned shopping centre or public library.

Stay hydrated

• During days when you are exposed to extreme heat, keep drinking water before you feel thirsty, especially if outdoors and performing physical activity.
• Whenever you leave home, always take a water bottle with you.

Plan ahead

• Cancel or reschedule activities for the coolest part of the day, and avoid exercising and being outdoors in the heat.
• Monitor the weather forecast and the Bureau of Meteorology Heatwave warnings online or via the Bureau’s app.
• Stay connected; check in with others. Let family, friends and neighbours know you are okay or check in with those at increased risk or who may need your support during days of extreme heat.
• Power failures can happen during times of extreme heat.
• Ensure you have a torch, battery-operated radio, fully charged mobile phone or battery back-up, food items that don’t require refrigeration, medications, plenty of drinking water and other essential items. Have a cool-box available to store ice or cool packs with medications.

For health professionals

Clinicians, particularly those in general practice, emergency departments and pharmacies, have a key role in preventing and managing heat-related illness.

In extreme heat, body temperature regulation is affected:

• The body can lose heat to, and gain heat from, the environment.
• Heat loss is controlled by the flow of blood to the skin and evaporation of sweat.
• When the environment is hot, sweating is the main means by which the body can increase heat loss.
• Sweating and heat loss can be impaired by humidity, excess fat, skin disorders and excessive layers of clothing.
• Some medicines can increase the risk of heat-related illness, or may be less effective or more toxic when stored at high temperatures.