Who is especially at risk of heat-related illness?

The SMA guidelines say even the fittest athlete can be affected, but certain people are especially vulnerable:

• People aged over 65, especially if unfit (risk is generally greater with more advanced age)
• People with heart or kidney disorders or disease
• People recently sick with a fever
• People taking prescription medications that impair sweating
• People with a reduced ability to respond to heat behaviourally, e.g. due to mental health challenges or substance abuse
• People with very high body fat
• People who have recently (in the past week) arrived from a cold climate