What is heat syncope?
Heat syncope, or fainting, is a mild heat-related illness often triggered by physical activity in excessive heat exposure (Paluka, 2019). It is placed at the lower scale of the continuum of heat-related illnesses, alongside conditions such as heat cramps, heat injury, heat stress, and heat rash. As the severity increases, individuals may develop heat exhaustion, and heat stroke may occur at the severely life-threatening end of the scale (Lugo-Amador et al., 2004; Leiva & Church, 2023).
Heat syncope occurs when the body tries to cool itself by dilating blood vessels, reducing blood flow to the brain. This condition is typically worsened by dehydration caused by inadequate fluid intake. Humans can maintain body temperature within a specific range. The body has mechanisms to address temperatures outside this range to a certain degree. When an individual experiences heat syncope, their core body temperature is normal or mildly elevated.
Symptoms of heat syncope include faintness, dizziness, headache, sudden excessive sweating, increased pulse rate, restlessness, nausea, vomiting, and a brief loss of consciousness.
To detect heat syncope, it is crucial to recognize both individuals and areas most at risk. If at risk, encourage the individual to continue doing simple movements after exertion; this will assist with venous blood return to the heart (Peterkin et al., 2016).
Syncope may manifest as slumping into a lying position while seated or cause a person to fall to the ground from sitting or standing (Roberts et al., 2023). During a syncope episode, the individual may seem to alternate between being aware and unaware of their surroundings.
