How to reduce the risks of heatstroke

Soccer, bike rides, baseball, volleyball, evening walks, gardening all day in the backyard — all can put you at risk for heatstroke. And, of course, any work where you’re outside and don’t have a chance to get into the shade.

Summer in Wisconsin is one of life's great pleasures. But when the temperatures climb and the humidity settles in, the heat and humidity can be a toxic combination. We worry about frostbite in winter, but heatstroke is a more common cause of death.

There were about 2,000 fatalities in the U.S. from heatstroke in 2025, compared to 500 to 750 for cold weather — with the vast majority of those cold-related deaths being people who were homeless or older adults living alone with the heat shut off to save money.

We don’t think of too much heat as being deadly, but it is. It kills more each year than hurricanes, floods, tornadoes and lightning combined. In 1995 in Chicago, 700 people died of heat-related causes in just a few days during a period of excessive heat. These numbers are absolutely shocking. When I did this research, I was stunned about how dangerous excessive heat is compared to these other weather disasters.

If you know a senior living alone, make sure they have air conditioning for the super-hot days or find them a place to shelter when the heat gets to be too much. And as for someone who is homeless, know where the nearest homeless shelter is for them and see if you or someone else can get them there.

Another aspect of all this involves young athletes. Remember Korey Stringer, the Minnesota Vikings offensive lineman who died from exertional heatstroke during training camp in 2001? He was just 27.

Heatstroke can affect anyone — even the kid in band wearing one of those ridiculously warm band uniforms when the temperature soars.

So what exactly is heatstroke? It happens when a person’s core temperature rises above 104 degrees and the body’s normal cooling system begins to fail. Sweating might stop, and the brain, heart, kidneys and other organs can be injured within minutes.

Warning signs of heatstroke include:

• Severe headache

• Dizziness

• Nausea or vomiting

• Confusion or unusual behavior

• Rapid pulse

• Hot skin that may be dry or only minimally sweaty

• Collapse or loss of consciousness

Treatment involves beginning to cool the person right away and calling 911. An effective treatment is rapid cold-water immersion with “tarp-assisted cooling.” Fill a large tarp with all the ice you can find and put in water or, really, any other liquid you have around to start the cooling immediately.

The faster you cool, the better the result. This is rather like doing CPR for a cardiac arrest – think of it as CPR for heatstroke.

How do you prevent heatstroke? The best way is to stay hydrated. Don't wait until you're thirsty. If you're exercising heavily or spending time outdoors, replace electrolytes as well as fluids. And remember these tips.

• Drink fluids before, during and after activity.

• Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing and a wide-brimmed hat.

• Schedule strenuous activity during the cooler morning or evening hours.

• Take frequent breaks in the shade or air conditioning.

Some antihistamines, antidepressants, antipsychotics, diuretics and blood pressure medications can contribute to heatstroke risks. Check with your pharmacist for a complete list.

Now, one more thing about hydration — overhydrating can be a problem, too, especially in marathon runners and triathletes. If you’re running a marathon, rule of thumb is 2 cups of water every half-hour.

If you want a more exact measurement, empty your bladder, undress and weigh yourself. Go for a run or do whatever activity you’re doing for one hour. Do not consume any food or water, then go back into your house, strip down and weigh yourself on a good scale.

A pound of weight lost after this equals about a pound of sweat. The goal then is to replace about 70% or 80% of this lost fluid, keeping in mind you cannot — and do not need to — replace 100% of sweat loss. Better to be a bit short than a bit long.

My spin: Enjoy Wisconsin’s fun in the sun, but just be a bit prudent. And BTW, don’t forget to put on the sunscreen. Stay well.