Floridians often welcome El Niño because it can suppress hurricane activity in the Atlantic. But there is a tradeoff. Rising temperatures and relentless humidity are making Florida summers increasingly dangerous, turning an ordinary afternoon outdoors into a potential medical emergency.
Extreme heat is one of the deadliest weather-related hazards in the United States, claiming more lives in a typical year than hurricanes, tornadoes or floods. For older adults, people with chronic medical conditions, outdoor workers and people taking certain medications, prolonged exposure to Florida’s heat can quickly become life-threatening.
“Heat-related illness is a process that becomes more serious as it progresses,” said Dr. Lee Winans, emergency medical director at HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital. “Recognizing it early is critical.”
Heat-related illnesses range from relatively mild conditions such as heat rash, muscle cramps and sunburn to heat exhaustion and the medical emergency known as heat stroke. Knowing the warning signs and acting quickly could mean the difference between a full recovery and a tragedy.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that roughly 60,000 Americans visit emergency departments each year for heat stroke and other heat-related illnesses, with approximately 13 percent requiring hospitalization.
Florida consistently records more heat-related emergency hospital visits than any other state, according to the Florida Policy Institute. Meanwhile, researchers at the Yale School of Public Health report that heat-related deaths in the United States have increased by nearly 50 percent since 2000, a sobering reminder that rising temperatures carry very real health consequences.
Although heat exhaustion and heat stroke exist on the same spectrum, Dr. Winans points to one key difference everyone should remember.
“With heat exhaustion, you’ll experience fatigue, weakness, headache, nausea or vomiting,” he explained. “You may become irritable, your heart may race or feel like it’s pounding, and you’ll notice you’re urinating less because you’re becoming dehydrated and losing electrolytes.”
Heat stroke, however, affects the brain.
“What distinguishes heat exhaustion from heat stroke is a change in mental status,” he said. “A person experiencing heat stroke may become confused, have slurred speech, stumble or lose coordination. They may collapse, suffer a seizure, slip into a coma and, without rapid treatment, die.”
If someone develops heat exhaustion, move them to a cool or shaded location, loosen or remove excess clothing and encourage them to slowly drink water or a sports drink that contains electrolytes. Most people begin feeling better within 15 to 30 minutes after cooling down and rehydrating.
But if confusion, unusual behavior, difficulty speaking or walking, or loss of consciousness develops, act fast.
“Call 911 immediately,” Dr. Winans emphasized. “While waiting for emergency responders, move the person into the shade, remove excess clothing, spray or sponge them with cool water and place ice packs around the neck, armpits and groin where large blood vessels run close to the skin. Don’t force fluids if they’re confused because they could choke.”
Dr. Thomas Graf, vice president and chief medical officer for Florida Blue, emphasized that many Floridians underestimate how quickly heat illness can develop.
“Many people don’t realize how vulnerable they are during Florida’s intense summers,” Graf said.
“You can think you’re fine and suddenly be in crisis. Stay hydrated, schedule outdoor activities in the early morning or evening whenever possible. Limit the amount of time you spend in the heat and pay attention to early warning signs like rapid heartbeat, headache, nausea, heavy sweating, or even a lack of sweating. Get out of the heat immediately.”
Some people face a much greater risk than others. Older adults become more vulnerable because aging reduces the body’s ability to regulate temperature. They are also more likely to have chronic health conditions or take medications that interfere with the body’s natural cooling mechanisms.
Heart disease, diabetes, Parkinson’s disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) all increase the risk of heat illness. Certain medications, including diuretics, beta blockers, antihistamines, decongestants and some antidepressants can also reduce heat tolerance or increase dehydration.
Outdoor workers face some of the greatest dangers. According to the Florida Policy Institute, more than 600,000 Floridians work outdoors, often in direct sunlight. Construction workers, utility line workers, landscapers, agricultural workers and firefighters often work in the blazing sun and may wear heavy protective clothing that traps body heat and limits cooling through evaporation.
Experts recommend drinking water frequently, even before feeling thirsty, taking regular breaks in the shade or air conditioning, wearing lightweight, light-colored clothing and a wide-brimmed hat, using sunscreen and scheduling the most physically demanding work before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m. whenever possible.
Even young, healthy athletes are not immune.
“I recently read that in 2021, the most recent data available, nine high school athletes died from exertional heat stroke, and since 2000 there have been 65 heat-related deaths among high school athletes,” Dr. Winans said. “That may not sound like a large number, but these are young, conditioned athletes who pushed themselves beyond their limits and ignored the warning signs.”
Dr. Winans also wants to dispel one of the most common myths surrounding heat stroke.
“People often believe someone with heat stroke stops sweating. That’s simply not true,” he said.
“Many heat stroke victims continue to sweat. The most important thing to remember is this – heat exhaustion makes you feel sick. Heat stroke changes the way you think and behave. If you notice confusion or any change in mental status, call 911 immediately.”
As another long Florida summer continues with even more extreme heat than usual, the best defense is preparation. Drink water before you become thirsty, seek shade before you overheat and never ignore symptoms that seem “not quite right.”
Dr. Lee Winans is the Emergency Medical Director at HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital, 1700 S 23rd St., Fort. Pierce, and can be reached at 772-461-4000.
