Heat Stroke vs. Heat Exhaustion: Symptoms and What to Do
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Summer weather inspires many families to spend time outside. Swimming, outdoor gatherings, and activities like hiking and bike rides can be enjoyable ways to spend the day. However, the Texas heat can be a health and safety risk. High temperatures, humidity, and excess sun exposure can lead to heat-related illness.
Too much time outside during the hottest parts of the day can lead to heat exhaustion, which can progress to heat stroke without treatment. Heat stroke is a potentially fatal health emergency.
Understanding the signs of heat stroke vs. heat exhaustion can help ensure we get the treatment we need before heat causes serious health effects.
Understanding the Difference Between Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke
Both heat exhaustion and heat stroke are heat-related illnesses caused by prolonged exposure to heat, dehydration, and overexertion in hot weather. Heat stroke is much more severe than heat exhaustion and can be life-threatening without emergency treatment.
With heat exhaustion, the body overheats but can still cool itself. If you take quick steps to treat heat exhaustion, it is not life-threatening.
With heat stroke, the body’s natural cooling mechanisms fail. Core body temperature can rise dangerously high, exceeding 104°F. Heat stroke is a medical emergency and requires emergency treatment.
Though heat exhaustion is less serious than heat stroke, you can’t ignore it. If you have symptoms of heat exhaustion, you need to take prompt steps to treat it. Untreated heat exhaustion can worsen and progress to heat stroke.
Heat Exhaustion
Heat Stroke
Severity
Serious but treatable
Life-threatening emergency
Body Temperature
Normal to slightly elevated (up to 104°F)
Very high (104°F and above)
Skin
Cool, pale, clammy/sweaty
Hot and dry OR sweaty
Mental State
Weak, dizzy, may faint
Confused, disoriented, unconscious, seizures
Action Needed
Move to cool area, hydrate, rest. Seek care if no improvement
Call 911 immediately
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Heat Exhaustion Symptoms
Heat exhaustion occurs after playing or working outdoors in hot conditions and not enough fluids are consumed. Symptoms develop gradually the longer you spend in the heat.
Symptoms of heat exhaustion include:
Heavy sweating: Sweating continuously, and on all parts of your body.
Weakness/fatigue: You may feel tired or unable to continue strenuous activities
Dizziness: You may experience vertigo and feel like you need to sit down.
Nausea: You might have stomach cramps that make you feel sick to your stomach.
Headache: Headaches are a common effect of heat and dehydration.
Muscle cramps: You may develop muscle cramps, especially in your arms and legs
Cool/clammy skin: Profuse sweating can make your skin feel cold and damp to the touch.
Rapid pulse: Your heart rate may rise as your body works harder to cool itself.
Heat exhaustion may make you feel faint or confused, but you will likely remain conscious.
Heat exhaustion is marked by copious sweating. If sweating stops, that is an indicator of heat stroke.
You should get treatment for heat exhaustion quickly so it doesn’t progress to heat stroke. Move to a cooler location and sip water as soon as you suspect heat exhaustion. You can visit the closest Next Level Urgent Care location for evaluation if symptoms don’t improve quickly.  Babies and young children should always get medical care for signs of heat-related illness.
Heat Stroke Symptoms
Heat stroke is a potentially fatal condition. It is always a medical emergency; call 911 immediately if you suspect heat stroke.
Critical warning signs of heat stroke include:
High body temperature (104°F+): Heat stroke can cause an increase in body temperature above 104
Hot/dry skin OR heavy sweating: Sweating may be present during heat stroke, but sweating can also stop entirely.
Altered mental state: Heat stroke can lead to confusion, slurred speech, seizures, or loss of consciousness
Rapid/strong pulse: Heart rate may increase significantly
Throbbing headache: You may experience a headache that pulses or throbs.
Nausea/vomiting: Nausea and vomiting are common with heat stroke.
Some people continue to sweat during a heart attack, but sweating can also stop. Hot, dry skin without sweating is a key sign of heat stroke.
Symptoms can develop suddenly and require quick action. You need to get emergency medical care from an ER or ambulance. Call 911 immediately for heat stroke symptoms.
Symptoms should improve within 30–60 minutes of leaving the heat. Visit urgent care for treatment if there is no improvement after an hour, if symptoms worsen, or if vomiting prevents drinking fluids.
Heat Stroke Treatment:
Call 911 immediately. Heat stroke is life-threatening.
How is heat stroke treated while waiting for EMTs to arrive?
Move to a shade/cool area,
Cool the body aggressively by applying cool water, ice packs to the neck, armpits, and groin, or by applying wet sheets and directing a fan toward the affected person.
Do NOT give fluids if the person is unconscious or vomiting.
When to Visit Urgent Care for Heat-Related Illnesses
If heat exhaustion symptoms improve, but you still have concerns, you can visit urgent care for evaluation. They can check on your recovery and give you IV fluids for rehydration. ?
If you have signs of heat stroke, such as severe confusion, unconsciousness, seizures, or a core temperature above 104°F, call 911 immediately.
Next Level Urgent Care provides quick evaluation and treatment for heat exhaustion at all of our locations across Houston, Austin, and San Antonio. We are open seven days per week from 9 am until 9 pm. You can walk in to get care for heat exhaustion, or use our mobile app to check in online.
