Racing can increase the risk of rare events like heatstroke or cardiac arrest, but doctors believe it’s healthier to participate in them. Extreme heat is associated with heatstroke, and climate change worsens the risk.
The frequency of dangerously hot days in the continental US is expected to grow by roughly one-third by mid-century.
Exertional heatstroke happens during exercise when the body cannot correctly cool, telling runners they need to take it easy.
Carolyn Baker collapsed in the Falmouth Road Race due to her exertion on a sunny August day, sending her internal temperature soaring.
Medical volunteers rushed to her aid, measuring her temperature at nearly 107 degrees (41.6 Celsius).
Evan Hauptmann, a high school athlete, lost consciousness in the race. He received immediate care, with a half-hour in an ice bath bringing his temperature down quickly.
Doctors worried about organ damage. His blood tests showed high protein levels from muscle breakdown, but they came down, and he avoided lasting injury.
Zoë Wallis was recruited to play college basketball in South Carolina. However, she experienced heatstroke during a five-mile run, which left her disoriented and with kidney and liver failure. She eventually sued the school and received a settlement.
Runners and athletes are at reduced risk of having not only cardiac arrest but all forms of heart disease compared to non-runners.
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