Heat Stroke: A Medical Emergency Appearing in New Regions

Table 1

Predisposing factors to classic heat stroke [1–3, 6, 8–15].

Age	Young children and individuals over 65 years
Diseases	Dermatologic conditions, infection, and endocrine disorders that increase endogenous heat production, cardiovascular disease, obesity, dehydration, pulmonary disease, neurologic disease, psychiatric illness, and previous history of heat-related illnesses^1
Medicine	Beta-blockers, diuretics, calcium channel blockers, laxatives, anticholinergic drugs, salicylates, thyroid agonists, benzatropine, trifluoperazine, ephedra, certain diet pills, butyrophenones, alpha agonists, inhaled anaesthetics, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, and sympathomimetic medications
Drugs	Alcohol, cocaine, amphetamine, and derivatives, PCP and LSD
Social	Immobilization, isolation, being unable to care for oneself, low socioeconomic status, residing in upper floors in tall buildings, no air-condition at home, and being unable to secure a cooler environment for a few hours daily
Exposure	Prolonged sun exposure, recent move from a temperate to a hot climate, hot environments, and wearing excessive or protective clothing limiting heat dissipation

¹Previous history of heat related illness is suspected to be a predisposing factor.