Heat injuries are becoming more common as global temperatures rise, with over 100,000 people treated for heat-related conditions in the U.S. each year.
While most people appear to recover quickly from heatstroke, a new study suggests that a single episode could cause long-term organ damage and weight gain.
Researchers at the University of Florida found that mice exposed to heatstroke developed persistent health problems for months after their initial recovery—equivalent to several years in a human lifespan.
The study, published in Communications Biology, highlights the hidden risks of heatstroke and the urgent need for better prevention strategies.
Heatstroke is the most severe form of heat injury.
It can cause unconsciousness, organ damage, and, in severe cases, death. Even though most patients appear to recover within days, the study’s findings suggest that long-term damage may go unnoticed.
“The animals appeared to recover over a few days, but their hearts metabolically crashed two weeks later—just when physicians often stop following up with human patients,” said lead researcher Thomas Clanton, Ph.D., a professor of applied physiology at the University of Florida.
The researchers tracked the mice for three months after they had suffered heatstroke. They found that even after apparent recovery, the animals experienced:
- Heart problems – Their hearts became weaker over time.
- Increased food intake and weight gain – Mice ate more than usual and gained extra weight, especially those on a high-fat diet.
- Metabolic issues – Their ability to process carbohydrates was disrupted, which could increase the risk of obesity and diabetes.
The study also revealed that male mice suffered worse long-term effects than female mice, though both sexes experienced significant health declines.
One striking finding was the link between heatstroke and obesity. Mice that consumed a high-fat Western diet after recovering from heatstroke gained even more weight than expected. This suggests that heatstroke may trigger changes in metabolism, making it easier to gain weight.
While these findings come from animal studies, they raise important questions about how heatstroke might affect human metabolism and long-term health.
Until now, most heatstroke research has focused on short-term survival and recovery. But this study suggests that heatstroke can have long-lasting effects, similar to concussions or viral infections that cause chronic symptoms.
Clanton’s research originally aimed to help the military reduce heatstroke risks for soldiers and recruits. The U.S. Army has improved its procedures in recent years, significantly lowering the number of severe heatstroke cases. However, some soldiers and civilians still experience lingering health issues even after an initial recovery.
To understand the full impact on humans, Clanton and his team are now planning long-term studies on people who have suffered heatstroke. Their goal is to identify treatments that can help patients recover more fully and prevent lasting damage.
Since there is currently no treatment for chronic heatstroke injury, prevention remains the best strategy. The researchers emphasize the importance of staying hydrated, recognizing early symptoms like fatigue, and cooling down as soon as possible to prevent serious heat injury.
As climate change leads to more frequent and intense heatwaves, the risks of heatstroke will continue to rise. Understanding its long-term effects and finding ways to minimize the damage will become even more critical in the years ahead.
“We think there’ll be more cases of chronic heat injury as the environment continues to warm,” Clanton said.
If you care about heart health, please read studies that vitamin K helps cut heart disease risk by a third, and a year of exercise reversed worrisome heart failure.
For more health information, please see recent studies about supplements that could help prevent heart disease, stroke, and results showing this food ingredient may strongly increase heart disease death risk.
The research findings can be found in Communications Biology.
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