What it is
Babies, older people and people with long-term conditions are at higher risk.
Moving somewhere cool, lying down with the feet raised, drinking water or a rehydration drink, and cooling the skin should help within 30 minutes.
Common signs
- Headache
- Dizziness and confusion
- Feeling sick and loss of appetite
- Heavy sweating and pale, clammy skin
- Cramps
- Fast breathing or heartbeat
- Very high temperature
How it is usually diagnosed
- Usually based on symptoms and temperature
- Blood tests in hospital, for heatstroke
Records worth keeping
Keeping these together makes each appointment easier, especially when you see a new doctor:
- Emergency department letters
- Notes on what happened, for future prevention
Questions to ask your doctor
- Am I at higher risk in hot weather?
- Do any of my medicines affect how I cope with heat?
- How can I stay safe during a heatwave?
When to get help right away
Call 112 or go to the nearest emergency department if you have:
- Still unwell after 30 minutes of cooling, no longer sweating while feeling too hot, confusion, a seizure or loss of consciousness: call 112
This page is general information. It is not a diagnosis and does not replace a doctor who knows your history. Medfold keeps your records organised; it does not interpret them.