Extreme heat is more dangerous for older people than many of us thought. Scientists now say that as people get older, their bodies become less able to deal with high temperatures. With the Earth getting warmer, people aged 60 and over may face a higher risk of getting sick or even dying from the heat.
During heatwaves, many older people could suffer from heat stress. This happens when the body cannot cool itself down well enough. If it gets too serious, it can lead to death. Researchers warned that we will have to live with very hot weather for longer periods of time. For older people, there are three main reasons why heat is so risky. First, they sweat less, so the body has fewer ways to cool down. Second, their hearts have to work harder to move blood to the skin. Third, their blood vessels (血管) expand more slowly. All of these make it harder for the body to stay cool.
The charity Age UK said the study was alarming. It said: "There is now no denying that extreme heat poses a very real health threat to our older population." This means we should all pay more attention to the health of older family members and neighbors during hot days.
So what can older people do to stay safe? Experts suggest drinking enough water, staying in cool places, and avoiding going out during the hottest hours of the day. Family members and friends can also help by checking on older people regularly. As the climate keeps changing, learning how to protect older people from extreme heat is becoming more and more important.