Heat Wave Floods Emergency Services: 300+ Calls in a Day
During the heat wave, on-call doctors report a sharp rise in cardiac emergencies, including a 17-year-old, as cardiologists explain which groups are most at risk.
- During the heat wave the emergency service logs 300+ calls in 24 hours.
- On the hottest days doctors report five to six heart attacks daily, well above average.
- A 17-year-old from Belgrade also suffered a heart attack.
- Those most at risk are people with heart, lung and kidney conditions, and those who are overweight.
The heat wave that has gripped Serbia in recent days is leaving its mark on the emergency service’s figures as well. During the scorching temperatures, on-call doctors report more than 300 calls in a 24-hour period, with a sharp jump in calls related to heart trouble. Among the patients who fell ill during the hottest days, doctors say, was a 17-year-old from Belgrade who suffered a heart attack.
That is not an isolated data point. Cardiologists warn that on the hottest days they are seeing five to six heart attacks daily, well above the usual average. High temperatures place added strain on the heart and blood vessels, so the risk of heart attack, stroke and thrombosis measurably rises in these conditions.
Why does heat put so much strain on the heart?
When the air temperature climbs above 35 degrees Celsius, the body works harder to cool itself. The heart speeds up and pumps more blood toward the skin, while sweating drains the body of water and electrolytes. In a healthy person that mechanism usually works well, but in people with chronic illness the extra load can act as a trigger for a serious event.
Doctors single out people with heart, lung and kidney conditions, along with those who are overweight, as the most vulnerable. Their bodies already have a reduced reserve, so dehydration and overheating push them toward decompensation faster. Patients taking diuretics, medicines that flush out fluid, warrant particular attention. In consultation with their doctor, they should consider adjusting the dose during hot spells, since these drugs dehydrate the body further and can upset the electrolyte balance.
The case of the 17-year-old shows that youth is no guarantee of immunity. A heart attack at that age is rare but not impossible, especially where there are hereditary factors, undiagnosed heart problems, or a combination of exertion and extreme heat. It is a single case rather than a trend of young people falling ill, so it should be read as a warning, not a rule.
Which symptoms call for an immediate response?
Chest pain or pressure that spreads to the arm, neck or back, shortness of breath, cold sweat, nausea and sudden weakness are signals not to wait on. Heat stroke brings confusion, loss of consciousness and dry, hot skin. In both cases doctors advise calling the emergency service at once.
Prevention is simpler than it sounds. The public health institute advises drinking enough fluids, avoiding time outdoors during the hottest part of the day, between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., and keeping indoor temperatures below 32 degrees. Alongside water, drinks with electrolytes such as water with lemon are recommended to replace minerals lost through sweat. Honey and similar additions fall under general dietary advice, not a medical protocol for the heat.
The limits of these figures are worth stressing. The numbers on calls and heart attacks are daily reports from the field, not the result of a published study, so they describe the current situation rather than a long-term trend. What they do show clearly is that a heat wave is not only a matter of discomfort, but a real burden on the heart.
Will you adjust your habits during the next heat wave, and do you know how to recognise the first signs that your body needs help?
