Excessive heat impairs the human body's ability to regulate temperature. Vulnerable groups such as the elderly, children, patients with cardiovascular, kidney and mental illnesses and people with reduced mobility are particularly susceptible to heat-related illnesses.
Extreme heatwaves also mean that more people die. This is shown by the analyses of our heat mortality monitoring, which we have been carrying out since 2017: In recent years, there has sometimes been a significant excess mortality rate during heatwave weeks.
Most heat-related illnesses and deaths could be avoided with appropriate preparation. We have therefore set up the heat hotline again on behalf of the Ministry of Health to advise the population. The heat hotline is available free of charge throughout Austria on 0800 880 800 and offers practical tips on how to cope better with the heat. This ranges from simple measures to improve the indoor climate to an adapted diet during hot spells.