Medical professionals said an intense June heat wave is increasing the risk of emergencies for people with chronic diseases [1].
These warnings matter because extreme heat does not only cause dehydration but can actively degrade life-saving medications and worsen pre-existing health conditions. For patients with asthma, diabetes, and heart disease, the combination of high temperatures and compromised medicine can lead to acute medical crises [1, 5].
The heat wave has reached a global scale, affecting Mexico and the U.S., as well as Vietnam and Europe [1, 2, 3, 4]. In Vietnam, temperatures have reached a maximum of 40 °C [5]. In Europe, the heat wave has extended across 24 countries [3], with southern England recording a record temperature of 36.1 °C [3].
Pharmacists said specific warnings regarding the storage of medication during this period. They said against leaving medicines in cars, noting that the extreme heat inside vehicles can cause the drugs to spoil [2]. On June 24, pharmacists said, "Pueden estropearse" — they can be spoiled [2].
Health experts said those with chronic illnesses are most vulnerable to the physiological stress caused by these temperatures [1, 5]. Dehydration can exacerbate the effects of certain medications, while the heat itself can trigger respiratory and cardiovascular distress [1, 5]. Medical professionals said patients should keep medications in cool, dry environments and monitor their symptoms closely as temperatures remain high this month [1, 2].
“Extreme heat does not only cause dehydration but can actively degrade life-saving medications.”
The convergence of record-breaking temperatures and medication instability creates a secondary health crisis for vulnerable populations. When essential drugs for diabetes or heart disease degrade due to heat, the risk of hospitalization increases regardless of the patient's adherence to their treatment plan, shifting the focus of heat-wave preparedness toward pharmaceutical preservation.
