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Have an Implanted Defibrillator? Triple-Digit Heatwaves Could Pose Danger

Thousands of Americans with heart trouble have small implanted defibrillators, to help regulate their heartbeat and keep cardiac events at bay. 

But new research finds that on extremely hot days, people with the devices face nearly triple the odds for a dangerous arrhythmia known as

  • Ernie Mundell HealthDay Reporter
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  • November 11, 2024
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    • More Than Half of Heat Deaths Can Be Blamed on Global Warming: Study

    Researchers looking at the sweltering European summer of 2022 estimated that more than half of the heat-linked deaths occurring on the continent would not have happened if human-led climate change wasn't in place.

    "Without strong action, record temperatures and heat-related mortality will continue to rise in the coming years,” said study senior author

  • Ernie Mundell HealthDay Reporter
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  • October 29, 2024
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    • Homeless Americans' Death Rate Rises on Hot Days

    As temperatures soar in some of America's hottest spots, death rates among local homeless people rise as well, new research shows.

    Data from 2015 through 2022 finds a big bump in deaths among unhoused people in Clark County in Nevada (which includes Las Vegas), and Los Angeles County in California.

    The death toll could rise even higher as climate change advances, said study senior a...

    At Two Dallas Hospitals, Kids' ER Visits for Heat Illness Nearly Tripled Over Last Decade

    In a sign that climate change may be fueling heat illnesses in kids, a new study reveals that such visits to two Texas children's emergency rooms spiked 170% between 2012 and 2023.

    Study leader Dr. Taylor Merritt, a ...

    Climate Change Could Triple U.S. Heat Deaths by Mid-Century

    If global warming is left largely unchecked, the number of Americans who succumb to extreme heat will triple by mid-century, new projections estimate.

    These deaths could affect poor and minority Americans much more than the white and better-off, according to a team led by Dr. Sameed Khatana of the Univers...

    Heat-Related Deaths Keep Rising for Americans

    Reversing a prior downward trend, searing summers have caused a sharp uptick in the numbers of Americans who die from heat-related causes, new data shows.

    A look at U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention deaths data for 1999 through 2023 showed a slight but steady decline in such deaths until 2016.

    After that point, heat-related dates began to rise sharply through 2023.

    ...

    As Heat Waves Hit U.S., Poll Finds Most Can't Locate Local Cooling Station

    It's been a sweltering summer for much of the United States, and a new poll finds many people can recognize the signs of heat sickness if it strikes them or someone else.

    However, many more don’t know crucial information that could help them during a heatwave, such as the location of cooling centers where they can seek relief from the pounding heat, researchers discovered.

    â...

    How Excessive Heat Can Affect Your Mental Health

    As Americans sweat through another scorching summer, one expert warns that while extreme heat can cause physical harm it can also wreak havoc with your mental health.

    Sizzling temperatures can make anyone irritable, but it can be far worse for some, especially those with mental health conditions, said Dr. Asim Shah, executive v...

    Expert Offers Tips to Control Excessive Sweating

    Sweating in the heat, while exercising or when under stress is natural and expected.

    But if you find yourself excessively sweating in the absence of those conditions, you might have a condition known as hyperhidrosis, one expert says.

    That form of excessive sweating "can have a significant impact on a per...

    Respect Summer's Scorching Heat, Experts Warn

    The human body is no match for extreme heat, and scorching temperatures seem to be the rule rather than the exception these days.

    "It's hard to think of an organ that is not affected by the heat," said Craig Crandall, professor of internal medicine at UT Southwestern in Dallas. 

    Extreme heat mea...

    Heart Experts Have Tips on Staying Safe in the Summer Heat

    As Americans brace themselves for another summer of brutal heat and humidity, the American Heart Association (AHA) warns that heart patients need to take extra precautions to protect themselves.

    According to the U.S. Centers from Disease Control and Prevention, more than 1,200 people die in this country each year as a direct cause of extreme heat.

    "Heat-related deaths and illnesses...

    Biden Administration Proposes Rule to Tackle Extreme Heat in the Workplace

    As millions of Americans grapple with blistering heat this summer, the Biden Administration on Tuesday proposed a new rule to address excessive heat in the workplace.

    If the first major federal safety standard of its kind becomes final, the

  • Robin Foster HealthDay Reporter
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  • July 2, 2024
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    • Stay Cool & Safe: Tips as Heat Wave Pummels U.S.

    A record-breaking heat wave is spreading across the United States, baking the Northeast and Midwest with high temperatures and sweltering humidity.

    Everyone is at risk for heat-related illness as body temperatures rise, experts warn.

    Heat stroke, heat exhaustion and heat cramps can fell any...

    Gardeners, Landscapers: Watch Out for These High Heat Danger Signs

    Climate change is pushing daytime summer temperatures higher for longer periods of time, and that can spell real danger for folks who work outside, like gardeners and landscapers.

    Protecting yourself in the heat and knowing the warning signs of heat-related illness is crucial, said Chris Enroth, horticulture educat...

    Summer of 2023 Was Hottest in 2,000 Years

    High temperatures across the Northern Hemisphere last summer were scorching and frequent enough to make it the hottest summer in two millennia, new research shows.

    Weather records based on scientific instruments only goes back as far as 1850, noted researchers at Cambridge University in England. That data already had confirmed the summer of 2023 as the hottest ever recorded.

    However...

    CDC Launches Online 'Heat Forecaster' Tool as Another Summer Looms

    Last summer was a record-breaker for heat emergencies, so the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Monday launched a new online heat forecaster to help folks better prepare as summer nears.

    The

    Parents, Coaches: Help Young Athletes Avoid Summer Heat Hazards

    Another broiling summer looms, along with another season of kids' summer sports.

    It's a potentially harmful, even lethal combination. But experts at Nationwide Children's Hospital (NCH) have advice for kids, parents and coaches on how to keep young athletes safe when thermometers rise.

    Each year, an estimated 240 people die from heat-linked illnesses, and

  • Ernie Mundell HealthDay Reporter
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  • April 20, 2024
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    • Rising Number of Americans Sent to ERs Last Year During Heat Waves

    As climate change threatens another long hot summer for Americans, new data shows last summer's record-breaking temperatures sent a rising number of people to emergency departments.

    At special risk of heatstroke and other heat-related issues: Working-age Americans, who often found the...

    Dangerously Hot, Humid Conditions Common in U.S. Prisons

    Almost 2 million Americans incarcerated in the nation's jails and prisons suffer through an average 100 days per year of dangerous heat and humidity, a new report finds.

    A warming world will only increase that danger, say researchers at Columbia University in New York City and elsewhere.

    "Exposure to excess heat and humidity can lead to deadly heat stroke and kidney disease from ch...

    High Number of People on HIV-Preventing PrEP Stop Using It

    Many people protected by drugs that prevent HIV infection quit using them, upping their vulnerability to the virus that causes AIDS, new research shows.

    The drug combo known as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is now a mainstay of HIV prevention among gay and bisexual males and other groups at high risk of infectio...

    U.S. Heat-Related Heart Deaths Will Multiply With Warming Temperatures

    As sweltering summer days become more common, the number of Americans who die of heat-related heart problems or strokes could soar over the next few decades, a new study projects.

    The study -- published Oct. 30 in the journal Circulation -- estimates that by mid-century the United States will see thos...

    Runaway Global Warming Will Make Some Areas Too Hot for Human Life

    The signs of climate change are everywhere, from raging wildfires to flash flooding to soaring temperatures.

    Now, a new study warns that things could get worse, with scientists reporting that even small increases in global temperatures will make some parts of the Earth too hot for humans to endure.

    "As long as we continue to put greenhouse gases emissions into the atmosphere, we're...

    Heat-Related Deaths Could Break Records This Year in Phoenix, America's Hottest City

    Phoenix, already the hottest major city in the nation, experienced its most scorching summer on record this year, new data shows. And that will likely prompt the highest number of heat-associated deaths ever reported in the city in one year.

    At this point, Maricopa County public health officials have confirmed 289 heat-associated deaths, the Associated Press reported. As of Sept....

    Old Age & Heat Can Be Deadly Combo: Tips to Stay Safe

    Hot weather can pose serious health risks for older adults.

    Existing medical conditions, problems moving around and medications raise the risk of heatstroke, according to an expert at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago.

    Being prepared can help prevent heat exhaustion and heatstroke.

    "As we age, we become less efficient at noticing and adjusting to the heat,"geriatrics s...

    Global Warming Could Make Pregnancies More Dangerous

    Global warming has been linked to higher rates of asthma, heart disease and other health concerns. Now, new research suggests that rising temperatures across the planet may place pregnant women at greater risk for severe pregnancy-related illnesses, especially in their third trimester.

    And this is likely to get worse in the near future, said study author

  • Denise Mann HealthDay Reporter
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  • September 8, 2023
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    • VA Hospitals See Steep, Steady Rise in Heat-Related Illnesses

    Heat domes and extreme heat waves have been battering the United States for years now, and a new study shows that increasing temperatures are doing real harm to humans.

    A significant increase in heat-related illnesses like heat stroke and heat exhaustion has occurred during the past two decades among patients treated at U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) health facilities, VA researc...

    Extreme Heat Taxes the Brain, and Some Face Higher Risks

    With 2023 predicted to be the hottest year on record, a new study is pointing to another potential consequence of heat waves: faster declines in older adults' memory and thinking skills.

    The study, of nearly 9,500 older U.S. adults, found that those with greater exposure to heat waves over 12 year...

    In America's Prisons, Suicide Risk Rises Along With Temperatures

    Punishing heat is a fact of life inside America's prisons without air conditioning, and it is taking a serious toll on prisoners' mental health.

    When the outside thermometer hits 90 degrees Fahrenheit or more, a new study shows that prison suicide risk jumps 36%, in comparison to when temperatures are in the 60s.

    The finding comes from a look at the Louisiana prison system, one of ...

    Extreme Heat Can Take Toll on People Battling Mental Health Issues

    While the record-breaking heat the United States is experiencing this summer can stress people to their limits, it can be particularly hard to navigate for those with mental health issues.

    "All mental illnesses increase with heat because it results in more fatigue, irritability and anxiety, and it can exacerbate depressive episodes," said

  • Steven Reinberg HealthDay Reporter
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  • July 27, 2023
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    • Hot, Polluted Days May Double Heart Attack Risk

    The extreme heat and choking wildfire smoke blanketing wide swaths of the United States this summer are actively dangerous to heart health, a new study reports.

    Days where soaring heat combines with fine particulate air pollution can double a person's risk of a fatal heart attack, researchers have found.

    "Heat wave exposure interacts synergistically with fine particulate pollution t...

    Be Smart When Working Out in Steamy Summer Weather

    It's hot out there. If you're working out outdoors this summer, take precautions.

    "If you plan to exercise in the heat, know your fitness level, take frequent breaks, wear proper clothing, wear sunscreen, avoid hottest times of the day and hydrate, hydrate, hydrate,"said Melanie McNe...

    Need Vitamin D, But Need to Watch the Sun? Here's How You Do It

    Your body needs vitamin D, the "sunshine" vitamin, but too much time in the sun can increase your risk for skin cancer.

    An expert offers tips for boosting vitamin D intake while staying safe from the sun and this summer's record-high temperatures.

    "Vitamin D is important for bone health, calcium absorption, reduction of inflammation, promoting cell growth and immune and cardiovascu...

    Steer Clear of UTIs This Summer

    Dehydration brings lots of risks -- including urinary tract infections (UTIs).

    An expert offers some tips for avoiding these painful infections without sacrificing summer fun.

    "Patients can experience more UTIs during the summer due to inadequate fluid intake, especially in the historic heat waves we've been experiencing,"said

    Triple-Digit Heat Wave a Danger to Those With Dementia

    As extreme heat continues to blanket numerous parts of the United States, Americans with dementia may be particularly challenged.

    "Triple-digit temperatures and heat indexes are especially dangerous for someone with a dementia-related illness such as Alzheimer's disease, because the effects of dementia can impair their ability to notice if they are developing heat stroke or dehydrati...

    Heat: How Much Can the Human Body Stand?

    Record-breaking heat waves are pummeling the United States and the world, causing many to wonder how much of this a body can take and still survive.

    The limit is somewhere between 104 and 122 degrees Fahrenheit if you're sitting perfectly still, according to a small study conducted in the United Kingdom.

    Researchers say they are starting to hone in on the high temperatures that...

    Heat Waves a Hazard for People With Dementia

    Heat waves that hit the triple digits, like the ones now gripping many parts of the United States this week, can create dangerous conditions for folks who are vulnerable.

    One vulnerable group is people with Alzheimer's disease or dementia, who may not realize they're developing heat illness. But caregivers can take steps to keep them safer.

    "Triple-digit temperatures and heat indexe...

    Protect Your Kids in Blistering Summer Heat

    Enjoy that summer sun, but keep some safety tips in mind, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) advises parents.

    "It's great to see children enjoying nature and reaping the benefits of outdoor activities,"Atlanta-based pediatrician Dr. Rebecca Philipsborn said in an AAP news re...

    This Summer, Could You Spot the Signs of Heat Illness?

    Heat illness can be deadly, so it's essential to recognize the warning signs and know what to do as the summer season gets into gear.

    "Heat illness tends to happen when the body is unable to regulate its temperature due to overexertion or extended periods of time in high temperatures,"said Dr. Maria Carmenza Mej...

    Tips to Staying Cool in Extreme Heat

    Extreme heat can be dangerous, but you can stay cool and safe this summer if you take the right precautions.

    The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) offers some tips for doing so.

    "No matter your age, it is critical to be able to recognize the signs of heat-related illness,"said

    Asthma, Lower Grades, Homelessness: How Climate Change Will Harm America's Kids

    Children are uniquely vulnerable to the effects of climate change, a new report from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) shows.

    Climate change can affect learning, physical health and housing security, which can last throughout the child's life, according to the report.

    "Understanding health risks to children is critical for developing effective and equitable strategies ...

    Heat Waves, No A/C: A Deadly Combo at Texas Prisons

    Heat waves may be killing prisoners in Texas, according to an analysis that found far-higher-than-normal death rates in the state's non-air-conditioned prisons.

    "The majority of Texas prisons do not have universal air conditioning,"noted lead study author Julie Skarha. "And in these settin...

    A Hotter World Can Worsen Heart Failure

    Climate change could spell trouble for those with heart failure, a new study suggests.

    When the temperatures soared in France during the summer of 2019, the heat wave appears to have worsened the conditions of heart failure patients, researchers report.

    "The finding is timely, given the heat waves again this year," said study a...

    As Thermometer Rises, So Does Hate Speech on Twitter

    Internet hotheads are often literally that, with hateful tweets rising in number as temperatures soar, a new study reports.

    Temperatures higher than 86 degrees Fahrenheit are consistently linked to heavy increases in online hate messages, according to a review of more than 4 billion English-language tweets.

    The researchers identified a "feel-good window"between 54 and 70 degrees whe...

    Heat Waves That Threaten Lives Will Be Common by 2100

    Life-threatening heat waves will become more common by the end of this century, according to a new study.

    A "dangerous"heat index -- what the temperature feels like when humidity and air temperature are combined -- is defined by the National Weather Service (NWS) as 103 degrees Fahrenheit. NWS defines "extremely dangerous"as 124 degrees F -- unsafe to humans for any amount of time.

    ...

    Helping Older Loved Ones in a Heat Wave

    With much of the United States baking in extreme heat this summer, older adults and the people caring for them need to take extra precautions.

    Seniors can decline rapidly, sometimes within minutes, when exposed to soaring temperatures, said Dr. Angela Catic, an assistant professor at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston.

    "As we get older, our bodies don't self-regulate temperature ...

    Heatwave Alert: Stay Safe in Searing Temps

    As blistering temperatures blanket much of the country, more people are at risk heat exhaustion and potentially fatal

  • By Sydney Murphy HealthDay Reporter
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  • July 22, 2022
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    • Panting Pooches: When Summer Heat Is Too Much for Your Dog

    Summer is a great time to enjoy the outdoors with your dog, but when the temperatures spike or the fireworks come out, it's time to make sure your furry best friend is having just as good a time as you are.

    When a heat wave rolls in, try to only take your dog for walks in the coolest hours of the day, advised Mark Fr...

    Stay Safe in Summer's Sizzle

    Temperatures are skyrocketing across the United States, as the high sky sun bakes everyone who ventures out for some summer fun.

    Unfortunately, these record high temperatures increase your risk of experiencing heat-related illnesses during your typical summer activities, said Dr. Maria Mejia, associate professor of fam...

    High Heat, Heavy Smog a Deadly Combo: Study

    Heat coupled with smog can be a particularly lethal mix, especially for older adults, a new study finds.

    Unfortunately, both hot temperatures and air pollution are going to increase as the planet warms, and so will deaths, researchers report.

    "We are experiencing more and more frequent wildfires, which cause pollution, and

    As Heat Waves Continue, Experts Urge Steps to Stay Safe

    As a weekend heat wave that put more than 15 million Americans in the Northern and Central Plains on alert slowly moves east, the nation's emergency doctors have advice to keep you safe.

    "Overexposure to the sun or heat can turn into an emergency faster than most people expect," said Dr. Gillian Schmitz, president of the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP). By Tuesday, the hea...