The UK is experiencing a severe late June heatwave, with temperatures forecast to reach 40°C in some areas. The Met Office has issued red weather warnings for parts of England and Wales for Wednesday and Thursday, while the UK Health Security Agency has also issued red health warnings. Schools across the UK are closed, and temperatures could approach or break the UK's all-time record of 40.3°C set in Lincolnshire in July 2022, and are expected to surpass the previous June record of 35.6°C recorded in Hampshire in 1976.
Heart Failure: The Hidden Danger in Heatwaves
BBC journalist and former weather presenter Lara Lewington has highlighted a critical but often overlooked risk during hot weather. In a TikTok video, she explained: 'Why do people die when the weather gets hot? The main reason isn't heat stroke or dehydration. There's another reason that accounts for more deaths in heatwaves, and that's heart failure.'
Lewington elaborated: 'When you get hot, your body directs more blood towards your skin so that you can radiate some of the heat away. To do this, your heart has to beat harder and faster. For the elderly or those with pre-existing conditions, this can simply push their system to its limit, leading to an increased risk of stroke, heart attack, or heart failure.'
She urged the public: 'As we head into the heatwave this week, make sure you stay hydrated, keep cool, and check in on any elderly or vulnerable relatives.'
Government Advice for Staying Safe
The government has issued several tips for coping with the extreme heat:
- Avoid the sun between 11am and 3pm. Use high-protection sunscreen, wear a wide-brimmed hat, and seek shade if outdoors.
- Keep your home cool: close windows and curtains facing the sun during the day. Open windows at night when the air is cooler, and ensure good airflow.
- Limit strenuous activity or schedule it for cooler times like early morning or evening.
- Avoid hot, closed spaces such as stationary cars.
- Wear loose, light-coloured clothing made from breathable natural fabrics like cotton or linen.
- Stay hydrated throughout the day, and consider rehydration drinks if sweating heavily. Limit caffeine and alcohol.
- Cool your skin by spraying or sponging with water. Apply cold packs wrapped in a cloth to armpits or neck.
- Turn off non-essential electronics, as TVs, laptops, and chargers generate heat.
Red Heat Warning Areas
The red heat warning covers multiple regions:
- East Midlands: Northamptonshire
- East of England: Bedford, Cambridgeshire, Central Bedfordshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Luton, Thurrock
- South East England: Bracknell Forest, Buckinghamshire, East Sussex, Greater London, Hampshire, Kent, Milton Keynes, Oxfordshire, Reading, Slough, Surrey, West Berkshire, West Sussex, Windsor and Maidenhead, Wokingham
- South West England: Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol, Dorset, Gloucestershire, North Somerset, Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Swindon, Wiltshire
- Wales: Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Caerphilly, Cardiff, Carmarthenshire, Merthyr Tydfil, Monmouthshire, Neath Port Talbot, Newport, Powys, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Swansea, Torfaen, Vale of Glamorgan
- West Midlands: Herefordshire, Warwickshire, West Midlands Conurbation, Worcestershire
According to UK Health Security Agency data, circulatory diseases are the leading cause of heat-associated death, surpassing dehydration and heatstroke. As temperatures soar, checking on vulnerable individuals and staying cool is essential.
