Scientific American, 29 July 2025

Heatstroke and Extreme Heat can Hurt Health in the Long-Term, Too

The immediate harms of extreme heat are well documented, but a growing body of research suggests that heatstroke may have long-term health effects throughout the body.

A pleasant summer day spent hiking, playing beach volleyball or even running errands can turn nightmarish if heatstroke suddenly strikes. When the heat of the environment and a person’s body temperature are too high for too long, the chances of heatstroke skyrocket. The condition’s short-term effects are well known: heatstroke can lead to dizziness, nausea, elevated heart rate and even death. But scientists are just beginning to understand potential health issues seen further down the road, long after your body temperature gets back to baseline.