The number of people who died from heat-related illness this summer rose about 24% from last year. According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency on Aug. 9, 3,089 heat-related patients were tallied from May 15 to Aug. 7. There were 26 presumed deaths from heat-related illness. While the number of patients fell 8% from the same period last year, deaths increased.
People 65 and older accounted for the largest share of heat-related patients at 35%. By location, outdoor worksites (25%), roadsides (13%), and fields (12%) were common. Many older adults, who are vulnerable to heat due to reduced ability to regulate body temperature, developed heat-related illness while working outside. Presumed deaths from heat-related illness occurred in North Jeolla (6), Seoul (4), Busan and South Gyeongsang (3 each), Gyeonggi, Gangwon, and North Gyeongsang (2 each), and Incheon, North Chungcheong, South Chungcheong, and Jeju (1 each).
Heat-related illness occurs when the body is exposed to a hot environment for a long time, leading to vomiting, dizziness, muscle cramps, and fatigue. People usually recover by resting in a cool place, but if heatstroke develops, body temperature can rise above 40 C, causing loss of consciousness and death. To prevent heat-related illness, it is best to avoid outdoor activities at midday. If going out, wearing light-colored, lightweight clothing and using a parasol can help. Carrying a water bottle and drinking water every hour is also helpful.
In summer, not only heat-related illness but also acute myocardial infarction from dehydration requires caution. Excessive fluid loss from heavy sweating increases blood viscosity. If a thrombus forms and blocks a coronary artery, it can lead to acute myocardial infarction. According to the American Heart Association, when the temperature rises above 32 C, heart attack cases increase by 20%.
Myocardial infarction presents with prodromal symptoms such as a tight or squeezing chest pain, shortness of breath, and cold sweats. In summer, dizziness can also occur, and dismissing it as merely due to the heat can delay treatment. If suspicious symptoms appear, avoid moving as much as possible and call 119 to go to a hospital. For prevention, drink water frequently and avoid heavy drinking, which worsens dehydration. Cold showers can raise blood pressure and heart rate and strain the heart, so use lukewarm water.