{"id":2224,"date":"2026-08-20T12:14:45","date_gmt":"2026-08-20T12:14:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lightningtrainingsolutions.co.uk\/blog\/?p=2224"},"modified":"2026-08-20T12:14:45","modified_gmt":"2026-08-20T12:14:45","slug":"strokes-dehydration-and-summer-heat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lightningtrainingsolutions.co.uk\/blog\/strokes-dehydration-and-summer-heat\/","title":{"rendered":"Strokes, Dehydration and Summer Heat: How This Affects Older People"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Summer is wonderful – but for older people, rising temperatures bring very real and serious health risks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Strokes and dehydration are two of the biggest, and the two are more closely linked than most people realise. We explain what to watch for, what to do, and why knowing basic First Aid<\/a> could save someone’s life this summer.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Link Between Heat, Dehydration and Stroke<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Most of us know that strokes are serious. But far fewer people understand just how closely linked they are to something as simple as not drinking enough water<\/strong> which applies particularly to older people during hot weather.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the body becomes dehydrated, the blood thickens. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thicker blood flows more slowly, forms clots more easily, and puts significantly more strain on the heart and brain. Combined with the fact that hot weather causes blood vessels to dilate<\/strong> and blood pressure to fluctuate<\/strong>, the risk of a stroke rises considerably during summer months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For older people, this risk is amplified further. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The body’s ability to regulate temperature declines with age, the sensation of thirst becomes less reliable, and many common medications including diuretics, blood pressure tablets, and antihistamines can increase fluid loss or mask the warning signs of dehydration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is not a minor concern. It is a genuine, preventable risk<\/strong> that affects thousands of people in the UK every single summer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Facts: Stroke in the UK<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Statistic<\/th>Figure<\/th>Source<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Strokes per year in the UK<\/td>Over 100,000<\/td>Stroke Association<\/td><\/tr>
People living with stroke in UK<\/td>Over 1.3 million<\/td>Stroke Association<\/td><\/tr>
Stroke as a cause of death<\/td>4th biggest killer in UK<\/td>NHS UK<\/td><\/tr>
Proportion of strokes in over 65s<\/td>Over 75%<\/td>Stroke Association<\/td><\/tr>
Brain cells lost per minute without treatment<\/td>1.9 million<\/td>Stroke Association<\/td><\/tr>
Dehydration as a stroke risk factor<\/td>Increases blood clot risk significantly<\/td>NHS UK<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sources: Stroke Association UK<\/a> | NHS<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recognising a Stroke: Act FAST<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When a stroke happens, time is everything. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The faster a person receives medical treatment, the better their chances of survival and recovery. Yet research consistently shows that many people in the UK delay calling 999 because they are not sure whether what they are seeing is actually a stroke.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don’t wait. Don’t Google it. Don’t drive them to a GP. Call 999 immediately.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The UK’s nationally recognised test for identifying a stroke is the FAST test<\/strong> and it is something everyone should know by heart.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The FAST Test<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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F for Face<\/strong>
Has their face fallen on one side? Can they smile? Is their mouth or eye drooping?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A for Arms<\/strong>
Can they raise both arms and keep them there? Weakness or numbness in one arm is a key warning sign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

S for Speech<\/strong>
Is their speech slurred, garbled or hard to understand? Can they speak at all? Can they understand what you are saying to them?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

T for Time<\/strong>
If you notice ANY of these signs then call 999 immediately. Note the time symptoms started. Do not wait to see if they improve.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Beyond FAST – Other Warning Signs<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The FAST test captures the majority of strokes – but not all of them. Be alert to these additional symptoms, particularly in older people:<\/p>\n\n\n\n