Heat stroke - Symptoms, Causes, Images, and Treatment Options

Diseases

Highlights & Basics

Key Highlights

Generally associated with core temperatures >104°F (>40°C), though heat stroke can occur at lower core temperatures.
Diagnosis rests on the observation of profound central nervous system dysfunction in the presence of hyperthermia.
Medications may predispose patients to heat stroke (e.g., diuretics, antihypertensives).
Early cooling reduces mortality and morbidity, and should be initiated as soon as possible.
Evaporation and ice water immersion are both widely used as cooling methods.

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Definition

Epidemiology

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Pathophysiology

Citations

Key Articles

Glazer JL. Management of heatstroke and heat exhaustion. Am Fam Physician. 2005;71:2133-2140.[Abstract][Full Text]
Council on Sports Medicine and Fitness and Council on School Health; Bergeron MF, Devore C, et al. Policy statement - Climatic heat stress and exercising children and adolescents. Pediatrics. 2011;128:e741-e747.[Abstract][Full Text]
Bouchama A, Dehbi M, Mohamed G, et al. Prognostic factors in heat wave-related deaths. Arch Intern Med. 2007;167: 2170-2176. [Abstract][Full Text]
Kellerman AL, Todd KH. Killing heat. N Engl J Med. 1996;335:126-127.[Abstract]
Casa DJ, Becker SM, Ganio MS, et al. Validity of devices that assess body temperature during outdoor exercise in the heat. J Athl Train. 2007;42:333-342.[Abstract][Full Text]
Harker J, Gibson P. Heat-stroke: a review of rapid cooling techniques. Intensive Crit Care Nurs. 1995;11:198-202.[Abstract]
McDermott BP, Casa DJ, Ganio MS, et al. Acute whole-body cooling for exercise-induced hyperthermia: a systematic review. J Athl Train. 2009;44:84-93. [Abstract][Full Text]

Other Online Resources

Medline Plus: heat emergencies

Referenced Articles

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