[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by TraceyMooreRN

"I don't know why the man died who lived across from us two years ago." It was heat related, whether it was a heart attack or a heat stroke, only a clinician could say. I was just a neighbor who was renting.

Sorry for the loss of a friend- but you said he died from a heat related problem, then you say you don't know why the man died.

I agree with not having a cap on the heat index. Smart players and healthy lifestyles need to work hand in hand. Not rules. Most people don't follow rules anyway.

Age plays a part in health. However, so does Smoking, Drinking, Poor Exercise, Poor Diet, Obesity...the list goes on. As a nurse here in TV- I can tell you most of the patients I see are making poor lifestyle decisions or have made them in the past and they are now catching up on them.

I agree with the other nurse- Heat Index was probably not the only factor in the loss of life with the recent softball player. Sorry to see someone pass away at such a young age. Of course- I hate to see anyone pass away. It never gets easier for the family or nurses that care for the patients--no matter what the age.

"Continued exposure to excessive heat can lead to hyperthermia or death. Of the heat-related illnesses, heat exhaustion and heatstroke are the most serious. Heat exhaustion is characterized by muscle cramps, fatigue, headache, nausea or vomiting, and dizziness or fainting. The skin is often cool and moist, indicating that the body's mechanism for cooling itself (i.e., sweating) is still functioning. The pulse rate is typically fast and weak, and breathing is rapid and shallow. If untreated, heat exhaustion can progress to heatstroke (1). Heatstroke is a serious, life-threatening condition characterized by a high body temperature (>103ºF [>39.4ºC]); red, hot, and dry skin (no sweating); rapid, strong pulse; throbbing headache; dizziness; nausea; confusion; and unconsciousness. Symptoms can progress to encephalopathy, liver and kidney failure, coagulopathy, and multiple organ system dysfunction (2). Prompt treatment of heat-related illnesses with aggressive fluid replacement and cooling of core body temperature is critical to reducing morbidity and mortality (2).
Many heat-related deaths, regardless of whether they are associated with chronic medical conditions, are preventable. During periods of extreme heat, heat-related illnesses can be prevented by avoiding strenuous outdoor activities, drinking adequate amounts of fluid, avoiding alcohol consumption, wearing lightweight clothing, and using air-conditioning. Groups at high risk include young children, persons aged 65 years +, persons who do strenuous activities outdoors, and persons with chronic (particularly cardiovascular) medical conditions.
During heat waves, young children, older adults, and chronically ill persons should be checked frequently by relatives, neighbors, and caretakers to evaluate their heat exposure, recognize symptoms of heat-related illness, and take appropriate preventive action." Above quote from CDC website.



If you are 38 and 49. this is not as important.