What do heat waves do to the body and who is at risk?

In the year In 2022 – the highest temperature in England will be 40.3C. An estimated 2,985 “excessive deaths” were attributed to the heat., ExternalThe most recorded in any year.

there were An estimated 1,311 heat-related deaths have occurred., External In summer 2024, and Approximately 1,504, External In summer 2025.

Most heat-related deaths from heart attacks and strokes are caused by efforts to maintain body temperature.

After the thermometer exceeds 25C-26C, the maximum death rate begins to set in.

However, evidence suggests that die-offs occur during high temperatures in spring or early summer, not during “high summer.”

This is probably because as the summer progresses, we start to change our daily habits and use more to cope with the heat.

Evidence from previous heat waves shows that the increase in deaths occurs very quickly – within the first 24 hours of a heat wave.