Cornwall Heat-Health Alert: Who Needs to Take Extra Care

If you live with a heart condition, diabetes, asthma or kidney problems, the next five days carry more risk for you than for most people. A Heat-Health Alert is now in place across Devon and Cornwall, and health leaders are asking the people most likely to struggle in the heat to plan ahead.

The alert was issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the Met Office, and runs for five days. It flags the way higher temperatures can affect health, particularly for anyone living with a long-term condition.

How heat affects the body

Hot weather puts extra pressure on the body. It can cause dehydration, lead to overheating and make existing health problems worse. People with heart or lung disease, diabetes, kidney problems or mental health conditions may feel the effects more than others.

Some medications make it harder for the body to stay cool and hydrated. Living with more than one condition can have the same effect.

Who is most at risk

Some people are more vulnerable in hot weather, including:

• People aged 65 and over
• Babies and young children
• People with long-term health conditions
• Those on multiple medications or living alone

Simple steps to stay well

The advice for everyone is straightforward:

• Stay out of the heat where you can, particularly between 11am and 3pm
• Drink plenty of fluids regularly
• Close blinds or curtains during the day to keep your home cool
• Avoid strenuous activity in the hottest part of the day
• Check in on friends, family and neighbours, especially older people or those living alone
• Store medicines correctly and take them as prescribed

If you live with a long-term condition, it matters even more to keep an eye on your symptoms and seek advice if they get worse, make sure you have enough medication and understand how heat might affect it, and stay cool and hydrated to reduce strain on your body.

What to do, condition by condition

Heat affects people differently depending on their condition and the medicines they take. Here is the NHS advice broken down.

Heart conditions

Hot weather causes blood vessels to widen, which makes the heart work harder to keep blood pressure up. Anyone with heart failure, coronary heart disease or another cardiovascular condition may find symptoms get worse in extreme heat.

The advice is to stay well hydrated unless you have been told to restrict fluids, avoid strenuous activity during the hottest parts of the day, and seek medical advice if you notice worsening breathlessness, dizziness, swelling or chest discomfort.

Respiratory conditions

People with asthma, COPD and other lung conditions may find heat, humidity and poor air quality make symptoms worse.

Keep using prescribed inhalers and medications, carry a reliever inhaler when out, and monitor local air quality and pollen forecasts if those are known triggers. Seek advice if symptoms become hard to manage.

Diabetes

Heat can affect blood glucose levels and raise the risk of dehydration. Some diabetes medications and insulin can be affected by high temperatures too.

Check blood glucose levels regularly, particularly if you feel unwell. Store insulin and other medicines as the manufacturer instructs. Drink water regularly and watch for signs of dehydration. Seek advice if blood glucose becomes difficult to control.

Kidney disease

People with kidney disease can be at greater risk of dehydration and heat-related illness.

Follow any individual fluid advice from your clinical team, monitor for symptoms such as dizziness, headaches or reduced urine output, and contact your healthcare team if you have concerns about fluid intake or symptoms.

Dementia and cognitive impairment

People living with dementia may be less likely to notice when they are getting too hot or dehydrated. Families, carers and support workers are asked to offer regular drinks throughout the day, keep living spaces as cool as possible, encourage lightweight clothing and check regularly for signs of dehydration or heat exhaustion.

Mental health conditions

Some mental health conditions and medications can affect the body’s ability to regulate temperature or to recognise when something is wrong. People are encouraged to stay connected with family, friends and support services, keep to regular routines where possible, and seek help if their mental health worsens during the hot weather.

Planning ahead

People with long-term conditions are encouraged to prepare by keeping enough medication at home, making sure they have access to drinking water, identifying the coolest room in the house, arranging regular check-ins with family, friends or carers if they live alone, and knowing who to contact if symptoms worsen.

Dr Chris Reid, Chief Transformation and Place Officer at NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly, said: “While many people enjoy the warmer weather, it can be more challenging for those with underlying health conditions. We’re asking everyone to take a few simple steps to stay well and to check in on those who might need a little extra support during this time.”

For urgent advice you can contact NHS 111, or call 999 in an emergency. More guidance on coping in hot weather is at https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/seasonal-health/heatwave-how-to-cope-in-hot-weather/