It was supposed to be a fun afternoon.

Maybe it’s a neighborhood cookout. Maybe it’s a long afternoon at the kids’ tournament. Maybe it’s yard work that went longer than expected. Then someone in your group goes quiet. Sits down. Says they feel strange. 

And suddenly the fun afternoon has a different energy.

🥵Summer heat emergencies don’t announce themselves. They start looking like fatigue, like dehydration, like just needing a minute. And sometimes that’s exactly what it is. But sometimes it’s the beginning of a medical emergency.

Knowing the difference could save a life.

According to the CDC, extreme heat causes an average of more than 1,220 deaths in the United States every year. Heat-related emergency department visits reached record highs in 2023, with peak summer rates nearly 50% higher than the average from 2018 to 2022. The threat is real and it’s growing.

Here’s what you need to know.

 

🤒 Heat Exhaustion: The Warning Sign

Heat exhaustion happens when your body loses significant salt and water through sweating and begins to struggle to cool itself down. It’s serious, but your body’s cooling mechanisms are still working, just overwhelmed.

Look out for these signs:

  • Heavy sweating
  • Pale, cool, or clammy skin
  • Headache, dizziness, or nausea
  • Fast but weak pulse
  • Muscle cramps
  • Weakness and fatigue

One of the clearest indicators that you’re dealing with heat exhaustion and not heat stroke is if the person can still think and communicate clearly. They may feel terrible, but their mental status is normal.

What to do: 

  • Move them to a cool place immediately. 
  • Have them lie down and rest. 
  • Give water or a sports drink. 
  • Use fans, cool cloths, ice packs on the neck and armpits. 

Most people recover within 30 minutes when treated quickly. If they aren’t improving within 30 minutes, go to the emergency room, because heat exhaustion can progress to heat stroke.

 

🚨 Heat Stroke: The Emergency

Heat stroke is a different category entirely. This is when your body’s temperature regulation system fails completely: core body temperature rises above 104°F, the brain begins to shut down, and organs are at risk. Mental confusion is a key thing to look for. This is a life-threatening emergency.

Look for:

  • Confusion, disorientation, or agitation
  • Slurred speech
  • Loss of consciousness or fainting
  • Hot, dry skin (sweating may stop entirely)
  • Rapid, strong pulse
  • Possible seizures

What to do: 

Call 911 immediately. 

  • While waiting, move the person to shade or indoors, remove excess clothing, and cool them as fast as possible using ice packs on the neck, armpits, and groin, cool water misting, cold wet towels. 
  • Do not give fluids to someone who is unconscious.

 

☀️ Who Is Most at Risk

According to the CDC, certain groups face higher risk: children under 5, adults over 65, people with chronic illness, pregnant women, and outdoor workers. But heat illness can happen to anyone. Young, fit, healthy individuals have been caught off guard by how quickly conditions can escalate, particularly during high-humidity days when sweat evaporates more slowly.

Prevention: The Most Important Steps

  • Hydrate before you’re thirsty. By the time you feel thirsty, you’re already behind.
  • Avoid caffeine and alcohol in the heat, as both accelerate fluid loss.
  • Wear light-colored, lightweight, breathable clothing.
  • Limit strenuous outdoor activity during peak heat hours (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.).
  • Never leave children or pets in a parked car. Temperatures inside a car can reach dangerous levels in minutes.
  • Check on elderly neighbors and family members during heat waves.

 

💙💛 Altrua HealthShare and Summer Emergencies

Summer heat emergencies are exactly the kind of situation where having clarity about your healthcare approach matters most. If you or a family member experiences a heat-related illness that requires emergency care, Altrua HealthShare Members can have confidence knowing that eligible emergency medical needs are shared within the Membership, with details available in your Membership Guidelines.

For non-emergency situations, including evaluation and treatment of heat exhaustion, Altrua HealthShare Members also have access to 24/7 telehealth services through the HealthWallet app, which can be a practical first step when you’re unsure whether symptoms require an in-person visit.

If you’re not yet a Member of Altrua HealthShare, learn more about our innovative, affordable approach to helping you access the care you need.

Staying informed is one of the most practical forms of self-care there is. And knowing the difference between heat exhaustion and heat stroke? That knowledge could make all the difference this summer.

For more on summer wellness…

Make staying hydrated more fun with these cool ideas!

Hydration Station 

 

Questions about what your Altrua HealthShare membership shares in? Call our Member Services team at 1-888-244-3839 or visit altruahealthshare.org