Who is most at risk during extreme heat
Heat does not affect everyone equally. Which ages, conditions and medications raise the risk, and how to organise check-ins.
A heat wave does not spread its risk evenly. It concentrates casualties in identifiable groups, which means you can know in advance who to call.
The highest-risk groups
| Group | Why |
|---|---|
| Older adults | Reduced thermoregulation, less thirst, more medication |
| Infants and young children | Heat up faster and depend on others |
| Chronic illness | Cardiac, kidney, respiratory, diabetes, obesity |
| Outdoor work | Prolonged exposure plus physical exertion |
| No air conditioning | Homes that do not cool down overnight |
| People without housing | Continuous exposure, less access to water and shade |
The medications to keep in mind
Several very common drugs affect sweating, fluid balance or the perception of heat. Among them: diuretics, beta blockers, some blood pressure medications, antidepressants, antipsychotics and anticholinergics.
The car, always no
The interior of a parked car heats up very quickly and reaches lethal values even on days that do not feel extreme. Cracked windows do not change that meaningfully.
The rule is simple and has no exceptions: no children, no pets, not for a minute. Build the habit of checking the back seat every time you get out.
Organising the check-ins
Most heat deaths happen to people who were alone. An informal check-in system is more effective than any device:
- Make a list of the at-risk people in your circle.
- Assign who calls whom and at what time.
- Check twice a day, ideally in person or by video call.
- Ask about facts, not feelings: what the thermometer reads, how much water they have drunk, whether they have eaten.
- Keep the emergency number and the exact address to hand.
- Heat stroke: how to recognise it and what to do Heat exhaustion is treated at home; heat stroke is a medical emergency. How to tell them apart and what to do in the first minutes.
- How to cool your house without air conditioning Close by day, ventilate by night, and cool people before rooms. What actually works and why a fan can make things worse.
Gear that covers this
Products that match what the guide above recommends.
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- View on Amazon
Printed medical card
Medications, doses, diagnoses and contacts. If someone finds the person in trouble, that card saves critical time.
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Indoor thermometer
Many older adults do not perceive how hot their own home is. A visible number turns a feeling into a fact.
Frequently asked questions
Why are older adults more at risk in heat?
They regulate temperature less well, sweat less, feel thirst less and often take medications that interfere with the heat response. Many also live alone, so nobody catches the problem in time.
Which medications increase heat risk?
Diuretics, beta blockers, some blood pressure medications, antidepressants, antipsychotics and anticholinergics, among others. Never stop them on your own: that conversation is with whoever prescribed them.
Is it dangerous to leave a child or pet in a car?
Yes, always, even for a few minutes and with windows cracked. A vehicle interior reaches lethal temperatures very quickly, even on days that do not feel especially hot.
How often should someone check on an older adult living alone?
The CDC recommends at least twice a day during a heat wave, preferably in person or by video call, because it is easy to downplay how you feel over the phone.