What is a key indicator of heat exhaustion?

Heat exhaustion is a condition that occurs when the body loses an excessive amount of water and salt, typically through sweating, during exposure to high temperatures. This can lead to symptoms that serve as key indicators of the condition.

The presence of heavy sweating and weakness is a hallmark sign of heat exhaustion. As the body attempts to cool itself down through sweating, the loss of fluids can lead to dehydration and result in a feeling of weakness or fatigue. This combination indicates that the body's natural temperature regulation is becoming impaired. Recognizing these symptoms early is crucial for effective intervention, as untreated heat exhaustion can progress to heat stroke, which is more severe and requires immediate medical attention.

While other symptoms such as increased heart rate may also be present in heat-related conditions, heavy sweating and weakness are specifically recognized as classic indicators of heat exhaustion. High fever and severe chest pain are not typically associated with heat exhaustion and indicate other health issues that require different assessments.