Weather/SoCal Heat Wave—
By Suzanne Potter, producer, California News Service, a bureau of Public News Service.
This week is the hottest of the year in SoCal so far, and health experts are cautioning residents to limit outdoor activity, seek shade, and drink plenty of water to protect themselves.
Temperatures in the Southern California desert are expected to approach 115 to 120 degrees. The thermometer will rise into the 90s in many Southland cities for the next several days. Triple digits are predicted in some valley places. Even the beaches will be warmer than usual with highs in the 80s.
Dr. Stephen Sanko, adjunct professor of emergency medicine at the University of Southern California, an ER doctor at L.A. General Medical Center, and a board member of the American Heart Association in Los Angeles, says staying cool can be a matter of life or death, especially for elderly people and small children.
“Extreme heat is actually the leading weather-related cause of death,” Sanko explained. “More than 2,300 people died from heat exposure in the U.S. in 2023 and it’s projected that heat-related cardiovascular deaths could more than double in the next couple decades.”
Heat warning signs
When you get overheated, it places extra stress on your heart, and dehydration can lead to kidney problems and an electrolyte imbalance. Signs of heat exhaustion include headaches, cool, pale or clammy skin, a fast or weak pulse, dizziness or even fainting. The American Heart Association offers tips for protecting your heart in the heat.
Dr. Catharina Giudice, an emergency physician and a clinical research professor at Boston University and Boston Medical Center, researches the nexus between air pollution and heat in Southern California.
“It’s bad enough to be exposed to heat and pollution individually, but the impact of being exposed to both together seems to have a multiplying effect on the health outcomes,” Giudice reported.
Heat stroke is a life-threatening condition. You should call 911 or go to the ER if your body temperature goes above 103 degrees. Other symptoms include red, hot, dry, or even damp skin because your skin loses the ability to regulate itself. You should also watch for confusion, severe headache, loss of consciousness, nausea, and vomiting.
