Feeling the heat? Maybe it’s your medication.

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The mild Pacific Northwest climate makes us more sensitive to heat, especially after a long stretch of cold and wet weather. Some people feel it more than others and need to take extra care in warmer weather. When it’s hot, our region sees a spike in the number of people who have serious health problems like heart attacks, stroke, and kidney failure. It’s a good reminder now to figure out if you’re more prone to overheating, before even hotter weather arrives.

Are you more likely to have serious health problems in the heat?

Some people are at higher risk for serious health problems on hot days and should take extra precautions to stay cool, drink water, and take breaks from the heat:

  • Older adults (65 and older)
  • Young children
  • People with chronic health conditions or mental illness
  • Athletes who exercise outdoors
  • Outdoor workers
  • People living unsheltered or homeless

Medications and health conditions can make you more sensitive to heat.

Medications can make it harder to stay hydrated and regulate body temperature, including those for allergies and colds, thyroid, depression, heart/blood pressure, and weight loss.

Check with your doctor to see if your health conditions or medications make you more sensitive to heat.

The text reads: Some people are at greater risk for heart problems, stroke, and kidney failure when it's hot. These are the most common problems on hot days! There are two scenes. One shows an older man in room who says, "It's harder to adjust to heat once you're over 65." Another scene shows a construction worker saying, "Working outside puts me at risk."
Text at the top of the panel reads: Some health conditions make it more difficult for your body to cool down. A middle aged man stands next to a swimming pool. He says, "I have diabetes, so I track my blood sugar levels closely on hot days."
Text at the top of the panel reads: Certain medications can make you more sensitive to heat. A close-up illustration of a prescription note pad sitting next to two medication bottles. The notepad has the following written on it: Medications for: heart/blood pressure; nausea; bladder/bowel control; Parkinson's disease; seizures; allergies, colds and coughs; depression and psychosis; thyroid; weight loss.
Text at the top of the panel reads: Talk to your doctor or clinician about whether your medications or health conditions put you at greater risk in the heat. A doctor is holding a medication bottle and is talking to her patient. She says, "This medication can make it harder for your body to stay hydrated and at a healthy temperature." A patient is looking at the bottle and he says, "OK, I'll try to stay cool and drink more water."

Recognize heat exhaustion.

If you are more sensitive to heat, make sure to pay attention to how you’re feeling on warmer days. Signs that your body isn’t cooling quick enough include muscle cramps, weakness, dizziness, headache, nausea, and vomiting. If you think that you may be overheating, move to the shade or cooler location, put your feet up and rest, and drink cool water.

Stay cool.

On warmer days, here are some ways to keep your body cooler:

  • Spend time in air-conditioned buildings (such as malls, movie theaters, or libraries) if you can and avoid direct contact with the sun.
  • Turn on a fan with a bowl of ice under it.
  • Reduce physical activity and move to shaded areas.
  • Do outdoor activities in the cooler morning or evening hours.
  • Cool your body down quickly by wearing a wet scarf, bandana, or shirt.

 For more information

More tips about how to stay cool and safe in the heat: www.kingcounty.gov/BeatTheHeat

Originally posted on June 27, 2022.

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I am a risk communications specialist at Public Health - Seattle & King County.