Wide international studies show that woman They might more susceptible to high temperatures That man.

Before heat wave more often than when we live in summer, the warnings have been extended for us to pay close attention to them children, those over 75 years of age and the sick. Inside it great Britain was added in this group to womanin general.

Why does heat affect women more

That UK health service been based on A lesson in 2018 conducted by researchers from the University of Utrecht (Netherlands). This work was done with data taken from the heat wave that hit France in 2003, and caused a sharp increase in deaths during that time.

When comparing data on heat-related deaths within the same age range, women have a 15% increased risk.

This is not the only report about it. There is another studyin 2021, where Dutch and German scientists They analyze the relationship from mortality with hot episodes in the summer in recent decades. They also found it there more deaths among women what man.

The increase is especially noticeable in people over the age of eighty. The difference between elderly men and women who are they are not valued when it comes to cold snaps. Their conclusion also seems to have nothing to do with the fact that women live longer than men.

The key may be in the sweat

It’s not easy to pinpoint a single reason for this increased mortality among women. Researchers have drawn some conclusionswhich must be confirmed.

The first hypothesis is difference thermoregulation reaction produced in the bodies of men and women.

That is, the mechanism for maintain the same body temperaturewhich is about 36.5 degrees.

“Old people sweat half as young people and women sweat half as much as men”, explained the master Professor Hein Daanen, Professor of Physiology at the University of Amsterdam and one of the authors. Sweat is one of the thermoregulation mechanisms. Moisture refreshes the skin. Therefore, women have less adaptability at outside temperature.

Another possible factor is that Heat causes an increased demand on the heart.

“That cardiovascular demand it was stronger in the case of women and it could explain the greater risk of heart failure due to heat”, added Professor Daanen.

the heat affects more if you live alone

There are also social factors which must be taken into account. What is important is that women, because of their longevity, live alone to a greater extent That man. It means, there are more widows than widowers.

Alone, they demand to appear all the usual homework they are alone and, what’s more, they have no one to help them if they get dizzy or start feeling physical problems from the heat.

The authors acknowledge that they assumptions that require further analysis, with further studies of detailed data, which this study did not. For example, there is another study showing that men have a higher cardiovascular risk in hot weather.

However, British authorities they think they are good and ask women, and especially older ones, to be especially be carefulSince global warming It seems that every summer will be a new challenge.

Body mass is also important

These studies were also not assumed by the entire scientific community. He Professor Ollie Jay, Physiologist at the University of Sydney, admits that several studies have confirmed that young women sweat less than men. However, he questioned whether it was sufficient to attribute a greater impact of heat waves.

There are two other possible explanations that could be added:

• Another possible explanation is that women have a higher body temperature during ovulation and pregnancy.
• difference in body mass. Statistically women Smaller That man. Therefore, simply put, they have less body mass and absorb heat faster.

After all, the answer may not be one, but a combination of all these factors and a few more that haven’t been put on the table yet.