A city-based hospital has launched a public awareness campaign titled ‘Beat the Heat’ to educate people about heat stroke, heat-related illnesses, preventive measures and emergency response.

AIG Hospitals chairman D. Nageshwar Reddy said heat stroke is a medical emergency where awareness can directly save lives. He noted that many people continue to mistake heat-related illness for simple dehydration or fatigue, despite the condition having the potential to rapidly affect the brain, heart, kidneys and other vital organs.

Praveen Kumar Koppula, director and senior consultant in Internal Medicine at AIG, said symptoms of heat stroke often begin mildly and are frequently ignored. Early warning signs include unusual tiredness, dizziness, nausea, headache and muscle cramps.

Imran Shareef, head of Emergency Medicine at AIG, said immediate cooling during the first few minutes is critical in suspected heat stroke cases. He advised moving affected individuals to shaded or air-conditioned spaces, removing excess clothing, applying cool water and placing ice packs around the neck, armpits and groin while arranging medical assistance.

Varsha Kiron, director of Cardiology at AIG, said extreme heat places additional strain on the heart as dehydration and increased blood circulation demands force the heart to work harder. He advised cardiac patients to avoid peak heat hours, maintain hydration and seek immediate medical help if they experience symptoms such as chest discomfort, breathlessness or unusual fatigue.