Serious As a Heat Stroke
We’ve all heard the familiar phrase, “serious as a heart attack,” but if you’re a runner, perhaps “serious as a heat stroke” would be a more apt comparison. Recent studies have shown that runners in hot conditions are 10 times more likely to suffer a serious heat stroke than any kind of heart problem.
While many runners may fear undetected heart conditions because of their perceived severity, cases of heat stroke are actually more common and often more severe than heart conditions.
If you’re an avid runner and just can’t avoid long runs in hot conditions, it’s important to take the proper measures to assure maximum hydration and avoid potentially serious heat problems.
Heat-related illness starts out as heat exhaustion, and if not properly treated, can evolve into the more serious heat stroke rapidly. The best way to avoid this is to stay cool and not over-exert yourself under conditions of high heat. This chart from the CDC provides a great reference for symptoms of heat-related illness and what to do in each situation:
At Excelsior, we take heat-related illness very seriously, and we’re leading the local charge to raise awareness in the sports community and prevent these serious problems before they start. As part of our awareness campaign, we’re raising money to fund hydration stations at local schools, and we’re hosting a 7.7k Soaker Run this Thursday, August 7th. Check out our IndieGoGo page for all the details, and help us support the cause.
