Medications & Heat
These medications, such as diuretics and antihypertensives, impair sweating and raise risk during heat waves.
What are anticholinergics
During heat waves, people with substance use disorders are at increased risk of this heat-related illness due to dehydration and drug effects.
What is heat exhaustion
Heat waves can worsen disorders like anxiety and depression and even increase hospital visits due to elevated cortisol or serotonin changes.
What is heat's effect on mental health
To stay cool when it's over 30 °C, wear this type of clothes and stay hydrated.
What are light-colored, loose-fitting clothes and drinking water
This mood stabilizer can become toxic when clients dehydrate during hot weather.
What is lithium
These stimulant drugs, like amphetamines, can impair vasodilation and worsen overheating.
What are sympathomimetics
Insomnia caused by overnight heat can trigger or worsen these mental health conditions.
What are anxiety and depression
Older adults exposed to indoor temps above this C may be at serious risk during heat waves.
What is 31 degree Celsius indoors
Antipsychotics like olanzapine can block sweating and sometimes trigger this heat emergency syndrome.
What is neuroleptic malignant syndrome
Using opioids or alcohol during heat can escalate the risk of both overheating and this condition from withdrawal.
What is dehydration
Older adults with mental health diagnoses are this many times more likely to die during a heat wave.
What is three times more likely
This organization can be called at 2-1-1 to link clients to cooling centers, food, transit, and supports.
What is Sources BC/2‑1‑1
SSRIs can increase the risk of this electrolyte imbalance during heat events
What is hyponatremia
Clients with schizophrenia and substance use were highly impacted during the 2021 heat dome, with a disproportionate number of deaths.
What happened during BC’s 2021 heat dome?
Each 1 °C rise in ambient temperature increased suicide rates by this percent
What is 1%
For medication-sensitive clients, pharmacists and nurses should advise early recognition, cool-water immersion, and these two vital supports.
What are hydration and access to cool spaces/air conditioning