Can heatstroke cause dizziness?
Jul 16, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yang Ziqi
Introduction
Under normal circumstances, dizziness is a common symptom of heatstroke. Whether it is mild or severe heatstroke, dizziness may occur. To relieve dizziness caused by heatstroke, if discomfort occurs in a high-temperature environment, one should immediately rest in a cool and well-ventilated area and promptly replenish fluids containing salt. Normally, one should avoid staying in hot and stuffy environments for prolonged periods and take proper heatstroke prevention measures.
Under normal circumstances, dizziness is a common symptom of heatstroke. Whether it is mild or severe heatstroke, dizziness may occur. Detailed explanations are as follows:
If the heatstroke is mild, the body may experience dehydration and relatively insufficient blood supply to the brain due to high temperatures, which can cause dizziness. The dizziness is often persistent or episodic and may be accompanied by symptoms such as headache, thirst, and fatigue. In such cases, moving to a cool place to rest and replenishing fluids usually helps alleviate the dizziness gradually.
When the patient develops severe heatstroke, such as heat exhaustion or heat stroke, the dizziness becomes more pronounced and may be accompanied by blurred vision and unsteady standing. This is because severe heatstroke causes significant dehydration and electrolyte imbalance, affecting cerebral blood circulation and nerve function, leading to worsened dizziness and even confusion.
To relieve dizziness caused by heatstroke, if discomfort occurs in a high-temperature environment, one should immediately move to a cool and well-ventilated place to rest and promptly replenish salt-containing fluids. Normally, avoiding prolonged exposure to hot and stuffy environments and taking proper heatstroke preventive measures can help reduce the occurrence of heatstroke and associated dizziness.
