People with chronic health problems such as high blood pressure and respiratory problems like asthma have to be take extra precautions as well. In general, those who work outside such as police officers, construction workers and firefighters all have to be careful not to spend too much time in the heat. The most serious health concern on hot days is heat stroke. The condition can be deadly, and occurs when the body's temperature rises above 104 degrees. The body can no longer compensate for the heat by sweating.
Organs begin to fail, and the body starts to shut down.
Victims should go to a hospital emergency room for immediate treatment. Rapid, shallow breathing. Rapid, weak pulse. Heat stroke victims are often elderly people who don't have air conditioning in their homes or older people suffering from heart disease or diabetes. Heat exhaustion is less serious and usually occurs when the body loses too much water or salt through sweating.