Arkansas Reports 2nd Heat-Related Death Of 2007

LITTLE ROCK (AP) _ The Arkansas Health Department said Monday it has recorded the state's second heat-related death of the year. <br/><br/>The department did not identify the person or say when the

Monday, August 6th 2007, 3:48 pm

By: News On 6

LITTLE ROCK (AP) _ The Arkansas Health Department said Monday it has recorded the state's second heat-related death of the year.

The department did not identify the person or say when the death occurred, but said the person was elderly and lived in central Arkansas.

The state recorded the first heat-related death of the year last month with the death of a middle-aged person in central Arkansas.

Department spokeswoman Ann Wright has said the agency compiles heat-related death statistics from coroner reports and those sometimes take weeks to arrive.

A heat advisory was in effect Monday for counties in east Arkansas and residents in the rest of the state were being advised by the National Weather Service to take precautions.

In the east Arkansas counties under the advisory, heat index values were expected to reach 105 degrees from the north to the south of the state. Outside the advisory area, temperatures as high as 100 degrees were forecast.

The weather service predicted the hot, muggy weather would be around all week, just in time for the start of football practices for much of the state.

Last summer, Arkansas had seven heat-related deaths. In 2005, the state had eleven deaths from the heat. The elderly, the very young and people with health problems are most likely to fall ill from the heat, but anyone can be stricken.

The health department said when a person's body gains heat faster than it can shed heat, the body temperature rises and heat-related illnesses can result.

Heat cramps usually occur when someone perspires heavily during strenuous activity and depletes the body's salt, magnesium and water. Heat exhaustion comes with high temperatures and inadequate or unbalanced replacement of fluids.

Heat stroke occurs when the body temperature rises rapidly, perspiration stops and the body cannot cool down. Body temperature may rise to 106 degrees or higher within 10 to 15 minutes. Heat stroke can cause death or permanent disability.

The department said those involved in strenuous activity for an hour or more during hot weather should drink plenty of water. The agency recommended scheduling activity during the coolest time of the day. People should monitor how they feel and, slow down their activities, if necessary.