{"id":4091,"date":"2025-08-09T18:57:14","date_gmt":"2025-08-09T18:57:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ventil.rs\/blog\/health\/heatstroke-tragedies-spark-urgent-nationwide-warning-about-safety-practices\/"},"modified":"2025-08-09T18:57:14","modified_gmt":"2025-08-09T18:57:14","slug":"heatstroke-tragedies-spark-urgent-nationwide-warning-about-safety-practices","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ventil.rs\/blog\/health\/heatstroke-tragedies-spark-urgent-nationwide-warning-about-safety-practices\/","title":{"rendered":"Heatstroke tragedies spark urgent nationwide warning about safety practices"},"content":{"rendered":"


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In recent weeks, two high-school football players \u2014 Joshua Henderson, 16, from Tennessee, and Mikah King, 15, from Georgia \u2014 collapsed and died after practicing in the heat.<\/p>\n

In 2017, the same tragedy occurred when Zach Martin, 16, died of heatstroke<\/a> during summer football practice in Florida.\u00a0<\/p>\n

After collapsing, he was taken to the hospital with a body temperature of 107 degrees Fahrenheit.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u2018I\u2019M A CARDIOLOGIST \u2013 HERE\u2019S HOW THE SUMMER HEAT COULD DAMAGE YOUR HEART\u2019<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

His mother, Laurie Martin-Giordano, president of the Zach Martin Foundation, spoke to Fox & Friends on Thursday to discuss ways to prevent this tragic outcome for other athletes.<\/p>\n

Martin-Giordano emphasized “advocating for yourself” first and foremost.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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In recent weeks, two high-school football players collapsed and died after practicing in the heat.<\/span> (iStock)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

“You will need to make sure that you’re getting the hydration and the nutrition<\/a> and plenty of sleep, because those are things that your coach or your teachers are not going to have any awareness of,” she said.<\/p>\n

What is heatstroke?<\/h2>\n

Mayo Clinic defines heatstroke as “a condition caused by the body overheating.”<\/p>\n

It can happen after exposure to high temperatures or prolonged physical activity<\/a> during periods of excessive heat.<\/p>\n

It’s important to recognize the warning signs and take precautions, experts say.<\/p>\n

HIKER DIES ON ICONIC ARIZONA PARK TRAIL DURING EXTREME SUMMER HEAT<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

“There are a few stages of heat injury, and heatstroke is the most serious,” says Mayo Clinic.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Symptoms of heatstroke include high body temperature (104 degrees Fahrenheit or higher), change in mental state<\/a> or behavior, change in sweating pattern and flushed skin, according to the above source.<\/p>\n

Other signs may include nausea and vomiting, rapid breathing, racing heart rate and headache.<\/p>\n

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The first step when someone experiences heatstroke symptoms is not to call an ambulance, but to do anything possible to lower their core body temperature, experts say.<\/span> (iStock)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Hydration and rest are the first line of defense, experts advise.<\/p>\n

“If you feel faint or weak, STOP all activity and get to a cool place,” the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states on its website.<\/p>\n

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The first step when someone experiences heatstroke symptoms<\/a> is not to call an ambulance, but to do anything possible to lower their core body temperature, Martin-Giordano emphasized.<\/p>\n

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“If you feel faint or weak, STOP all activity and get to a cool place,” the CDC states on its website.<\/span> (iStock)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

“It needs to be below [104 degrees Fahrenheit],” she said. “104 is significant because that is where the body loses its ability to regulate temperature.”<\/p>\n

“Immediately start cooling before you start taking them to the hospital<\/a> \u2026 During that time, their core temperature is just going to continue to climb, which does a significant amount of damage to the body.”<\/p>\n

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“In cases like we’ve seen lately and with my son, they can’t recover from that. It’s just too much damage internally,” she added.<\/p>\n

Once the body has begun cooling down, it is important to seek aid, which may include calling 911 for an ambulance.<\/p>\n

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Once the body has begun cooling down, it is important to seek aid, which may include calling 911 for an ambulance.<\/span> (iStock)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Tips for safely exercising in the heat<\/h2>\n

If you plan to exercise<\/a> while it’s hot outside, Mayo Clinic suggests the following strategies to stay cool and safe.<\/p>\n

For more Health articles, visit\u00a0<\/u><\/strong><\/i><\/a>www.foxnews.com\/health<\/u><\/strong><\/i><\/a><\/p>\n