Heat Stroke vs. Stroke Infographic
HEATSTROKE vs STROKE
What and Why:
Heat stroke is when your body overheats and core body temperature rises to more than 104° F. Stroke is when a blood vessel to the brain bursts or is blocked by a clot. Brain cells die from the lack of blood and oxygen.
Risk Factors:
Heat Stroke:
- age,
- weight,
- medical conditions,
- certain medications,
- exertion in hot weather,
- lack of air conditioning,
- spending time outside in excessive heat,
- sudden exposure to hot weather
Stroke: Up to 80% of strokes are preventable
Factors you may be able to control:
- heart disease,
- high blood pressure,
- obesity,
- cigarette smoking,
- diabetes,
- atrial fibrillation,
- poor diet,
- high cholesterol
Factors you cannot control:
- age,
- race,
- gender,
- family history,
- medical history
Signs: Heat Stroke:
Body temperature of 104° F or higher is the main sign.
Other signs include:
- fast pulse or racing heart rate
- rapid, shallow breathing
- nausea
- vomiting
- confusion
- loss of consciousness
- headache
- flushed or red skin
- hot and dry skin (when not exercising)
Stroke: FAST: face drooping, arm weakness, speech difficulty, time to call to call 9-1-1
Other signs of stroke include sudden trouble seeing, dizziness, confusion, severe headache, or weakness on one side of the body.
What to do:
Heat stroke: While waiting for emergency care, move the person into shade or indoors, remove excess clothing and try to cool them with water, fans, ice packs or cold, wet towels.
Stroke: Get to the hospital as quickly as possible by ambulance to improve chance of surviving and having a full recovery.
Both: Call 9-1-1 or your local emergency services number ASAP
