Who gets heatstroke?
Anyone can get heatstroke. But infants and the elderly are at especially high risk because their bodies may not be able to regulate temperature effectively. Athletes, soldiers and people with occupations that require physical labor in hot environments are also susceptible to heatstroke.
Other factors that increase your risk of heatstroke include:
Drinking alcohol.
Being male.
Being dehydrated.
Drugs that affect your body’s ability to regulate temperature, such as diuretics, sedatives, tranquilizers, or heart and blood pressure medications.
Having certain diseases that affect your ability to sweat, such as cystic fibrosis.
Having certain medical conditions, such as a sleep disorder or problems with your heart, lungs, kidneys, liver, thyroid or blood vessels.
Wearing heavy or tight clothing, such as protective gear.
Having a high fever.
Having obesity.
A past history of heatstroke.
Poor physical conditioning or not being used to hot conditions.