Heat stroke can take our lives.
He hot That means, for many people, the coming holidays and the possibility of more outdoor living. But in recent years temperature they are becoming more extreme and the negative effects of prolonged exposure to excessive heat have come to light. According to data from the Carlos III Institute of Health, depending on the Ministry of Health, in the summer of 2022 it will happen 4,700 deaths from overheating in Spain.
A heatstroke It occurs when the body temperature exceeds 40ºC and symptoms such as headache, excessive sweating and feeling dizzy or tired are experienced. So, if this were to happen to us, it would be easier to find shade and hydrate ourselves until we regain a steady temperature.
There are groups that are more susceptible to heat stroke -elderly, overweight people and children-, the risks are there for everyone. And the consequences of such an episode can be very serious. Authorities are already warning that you should be careful: The sun is a good ally for our health, but in excess it can be very dangerous.
heat wave in europe
Heat waves can have dramatic effectsespecially for the elderly and people with health problems. A study published in March this year in a scientific journal Lancet compared the excess deaths of people aged 85 and over in European cities (854 in total) if there were episodes of extreme temperatures between 2000 and 2019.
Studies show that Parisamong the 30 European capitals analyzed, It is the city with the highest risk of excess death among the elderly in the event of a heat wave (relative risk 1.603). Amsterdam (1,595) and Rome (1,572) were very close to the French capital, while Madrid (1,402) was also a dangerous capital for the elderly in extreme heat.
- Paris, France): The French city is a European capital where there is a higher relative risk of death for people over 85 from heat waves. The index stands at 1.603.
- Dublin, Ireland): The extreme opposite is the capital city of Ireland, because Dublin is the European city with the lowest risk index: 1,084.
- Amsterdam, Netherlands): Although not as high as Paris, the Dutch capital also carries a high risk of death for the elderly in the event of a heat wave. Index reading 1595.
- Rome Italy): With similar terms the city of Rome moved. The risk index is 1.572. And the temperatures in the Italian capital are usually high
- Berlin, Germany): The German capital reduced its figure slightly, although it is far from Dublin’s level. The death risk index for this group is 1.481
- Lisbon Portugal): Heat is usually intense in Portuguese cities and the index reflects it: 1.542
- Bucharest (Romania): The city of Romania falls somewhere in between, although it is much closer to Paris than Dublin. The result reflects an index of 1.524.
- Zagreb (Croatia): The Croatian capital obtained figures very similar to those of Bucharest. The excess risk of death for the elderly from a heat wave is 1,527
- London, England): The UK is one of the lowest risks, but it is a long way from the Irish capital. In total, the index is at 1,485, similar to Berlin’s score.
- Madrid, Spain): The Spanish capital is running a record low compared to most European capitals. It’s behind London, Berlin, Rome or Paris. The risk index remains at 1.402.
Heat exposure has been linked to premature death, cardiorespiratory disease, and hospital admission. This is especially true for heatwaves, however also occurs with quite high temperatures in summer. Cities are especially vulnerable to high temperatures. Less vegetation, higher population densities, and impermeable building and road surfaces, including asphalt, lead to a difference in temperature between cities and their surroundings, a phenomenon called urban heat island. Given global warming and urban growth, these effects are expected to worsen in the coming decades.
“Internet trailblazer. Troublemaker. Passionate alcohol lover. Beer advocate. Zombie ninja.”
