LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Summer is here, and Kentuckians are starting to feel it.
Extreme heat can affect people in different ways, and in some cases could be deadly. Temperatures will stay in the 90s all week, with heat indexes climbing into the triple digits.
“We are definitely seeing a lot of people who are suffering from heatstroke or heat exhaustion," said Evan Kuhl, Jewish Hospital medical director. "The big thing that I always see that I worry about is people who are passing out or losing consciousness."
Aruni Bhatnagar, director of the Christina Lee Brown Envirome Institute. said those who are at already high risk include young children and the elderly. Pre-existing conditions such as cardiovascular issues and diabetes could make people more sensitive to the heat.
“People who are sort of older and have higher risk factors for heart disease need to be very careful and have to be inside ... once it gets very hot, and in minutes, it could precipitate arrhythmias and that could lead to a problem,” Bhatnagar said.
Kuhl said extreme exposure can cause long-term damage, along with muscle breakdown and seizures.
“All of those things can cause long-term damage to your kidneys, to your heart and to your brain,” Kuhl said.
Bhatnagar said Louisville has one of the worst urban heat island effects, which means the core of the city heats up and remains hot even late into the night compared to the suburbs. Factors such as concrete and a lack of greenery are responsible, along with traffic.
“That sort of creates this very unusual milieu in the middle of the city, which makes it hotter than places around the city,” Bhatnagar said.
Those who do brave the heat should hydrate before they leave, wear light-colored clothing, stay in the shade and take plenty of breaks.
“Obviously, if we can avoid being out in this weather, it's better for our health,” Kuhl said.
Physicians recommended taking 15 to 20-minute breaks from being outside and getting into some air conditioning.