{"id":13754,"date":"2025-06-20T17:14:04","date_gmt":"2025-06-20T21:14:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/news\/?page_id=13754"},"modified":"2025-06-24T14:24:10","modified_gmt":"2025-06-24T18:24:10","slug":"new-river-health-district-offers-tips-to-keep-healthy-and-cool-as-temperatures-climb","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/news\/public-relations-contacts\/archived-news-releases\/2025-regional-news-releases\/new-river-health-district-offers-tips-to-keep-healthy-and-cool-as-temperatures-climb\/","title":{"rendered":"New River Health District Offers Tips to Keep Healthy and Cool as Temperatures Climb\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"

June 20, 2025<\/span>
\n<\/span>Media Contact:<\/span><\/b> Beverly Hill, Beverly.hill@vdh.virginia.gov<\/span>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

New River Health District Offers Tips to Keep Healthy and Cool as Temperatures Climb<\/span><\/b>
\nExtreme Heat Expected to Impact the New River Valley 06\/23\/2025 \u2013 06\/29\/2025<\/span><\/i>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

CHRISTIANSBURG, Va. \u2013 As extreme heat moves into the New River Valley, <\/span>heat-related illnesses<\/span><\/a> are a real concern. The New River Health District offers guidance to stay healthy and cool this summer.<\/span><\/p>\n

As temperatures outside rise, it\u2019s important to stay hydrated and stay cool.\u00a0 <\/span>Last summer, Virginia had <\/span>more than 3,200 heat-related illness visits<\/span><\/a> to emergency departments (EDs) and urgent cares statewide and this year, there were 5 visits for Montgomery County and Radford City, from May 1 \u2013 June 15, 2025.\u00a0 Additionally, Virginia EMS clinicians responded to more than 3,600 heat-related illness 911 calls during the heat season (May to September). According to the <\/span>National Weather Service<\/span><\/a>, extreme heat was the leading cause of weather-related deaths in 2024.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The health director for the New River Health District, Noelle Bissell, M.D. noted, \u201cIt\u2019s important to stay informed about forecast temperatures and conditions, and to plan accordingly.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Heat stroke and heat exhaustion<\/span><\/a> occur when your body is unable to cool itself. Humidity plays a big factor in your body\u2019s ability to release heat. The higher the humidity, the slower your sweat evaporates. Additionally, age, weight, heart disease, poor circulation, alcohol, sunburn, and prescription drugs play a factor in how quickly your body can cool itself.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

You can beat the heat with <\/span>these tips<\/span><\/a>:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n