Dizzy in the Heat Wave... It May Signal This Condition, Not Just a Heat Illness [Kok! Health]

If Drooping Face or Slurred Speech Appear, Suspect Cerebral Infarction
Dehydration in Summer Concentrates Blood and Raises Risk of Blood Clots

During outdoor activities in the summer, it is easy to dismiss sudden dizziness or weakness as merely being affected by the heat. However, if weakness is felt on one side of the body, the face becomes asymmetrical, or speech becomes slurred, it may not just be a simple heat-related illness but rather a warning sign of cerebral infarction, which occurs when a blood vessel in the brain becomes blocked. Caution is required in such cases.

According to the medical community on August 1, cerebral infarction is not a condition that only occurs frequently in winter. During the sweltering summer months, excessive sweating can lead to dehydration, causing blood to become more concentrated and creating an environment where blood clots can form more easily. Prolonged exposure to extreme heat can cause the peripheral blood vessels to dilate, resulting in a temporary drop in blood pressure. For individuals whose cerebral blood vessels are already narrowed, this process can significantly increase the risk of cerebral infarction.

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Cerebral infarction is a condition in which the brain does not receive an adequate blood supply due to a blocked cerebral blood vessel. It can be caused by a variety of factors, including blood clots, atherosclerosis, atrial fibrillation, and small vessel disease. In particular, elderly individuals or people with chronic conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, or dyslipidemia may be more vulnerable to dehydration and changes in blood pressure during the summer months.

According to the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service’s statistics on diseases of public concern, more than 150,000 patients were treated each month for ischemic stroke, that is, cerebral infarction, during the summer months from June to August in each year between 2023 and 2025. If you simply add up these monthly figures, the total number of patients treated in the summer of last year was 487,750, which slightly exceeded the number treated in winter, 485,743.

If Dizziness Is Accompanied by Paralysis on One Side, Suspect Cerebral Infarction

Elderly people have reduced thirst and impaired body temperature regulation, making them more susceptible to dehydration. The burden on vascular health can be further increased in summer due to the effects of medications such as diuretics or underlying chronic diseases. The elderly should drink water frequently before feeling thirsty, avoid outdoor activities during extremely hot hours, and never skip their prescribed medication for chronic conditions.

However, dizziness alone is not enough to diagnose cerebral infarction. Dizziness is also a common symptom of heat-related illness, dehydration, and peripheral vestibular disorders. What is important is whether other symptoms accompany it. If sudden dizziness is accompanied by gait instability, double vision, speech disorders, paralysis or numbness on one side, the possibility of posterior circulation stroke needs to be considered.

Even if symptoms disappear after a few minutes or hours, you must not become complacent. This could be a transient ischemic attack, known as a "mini-stroke." A transient ischemic attack is an emergency condition that carries a high risk of developing into an actual cerebral infarction later on. Even if symptoms improve, a consultation with a neurologist or neurosurgeon is necessary.

"Adequate Hydration Before Feeling Thirsty"

Professor Yoon Wonki, neurosurgeon and head of the Cerebrovascular Center at Korea University Guro Hospital, said, "Simple dizziness is common in heat illness, dehydration, or peripheral vestibular disorders and is not, by itself, a strong indicator of cerebral infarction. However, if sudden dizziness is accompanied by gait instability, double vision, speech disturbance, or paralysis and numbness on one side, posterior circulation stroke should be suspected."

Professor Yoon advised, "During outdoor activities in the summer, you should drink lukewarm water frequently before you feel thirsty to prevent blood from becoming too concentrated." He added, "Patients with underlying medical conditions such as heart failure or chronic kidney failure who need to limit fluid intake must consult their primary physician about how much to drink." He also emphasized, "For patients taking medications for chronic diseases such as hypertension and diabetes, it is important not to miss a dose during summer vacations or outdoor activities so as to prevent cerebral infarction."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.