Helping our bodies beat the heat

Periods of extreme heat—even a single day when the thermometer hits 35°C—are associated with increased risk of injury, hospitalization and death. When the body gets too hot, the heart and kidneys don’t function properly. This physiological response to heat can have harmful health effects. “The risk depends on our body’s ability to defend itself and keep its internal temperature and blood pressure under control,” explained Daniel Gagnon, an associate professor at the School of Kinesiology and Exercise Science at Université de Montréal. “Being healthy and physically active provides some protection. But as we age, our body’s ability to dissipate heat Read More