By Chris Paschenko
The Daily News
Published August 4, 2011
SANTA FE — A man found Wednesday afternoon in a house well above 100 degrees is believed to have suffered a heat-related episode, a fire official said.
The possible stroke could have been the result of a broken air-conditioning unit during a time of an inland heat advisory from Houston to College Station, which is expected to persist through Friday.
Although Galveston County wasn’t part of Wednesday’s National Weather Service advisory, the heat index here measured between 106 and 111 degrees.
Santa Fe firefighters found the man unconscious and called for a medical helicopter, which landed at FM 646 and 28th Street. The man’s name and age weren’t known.
Health district spokesman Kurt Koopmann confirmed someone was airlifted to St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital, but he could provide no further details of the medical call involving one of the district’s ambulance crews.
First responders received a call from the man’s neighbor, who went to check on him, Santa Fe Fire Chief Tommy Anderson said. Anderson believed the incident was possibly heat related.
“It was well over 100 degrees in the house,” Anderson said. “He was unconscious and the air conditioner had broken.”
Anderson also believed windows to the home were closed.
“He must have gotten weak and couldn’t open the windows,” Anderson said.
The health district offered advice for those suffering during the county’s heat spell, which included drinking plenty of water. Avoid drinks with alcohol, caffeine or lots of sugar, Koopmann said. Start drinking fluids 30 minutes before going outside.
Plan strenuous, outdoor activity for early morning or evening when it’s cooler.
Eat more frequently, but be sure meals are well balanced, cool and light.
At the first signs of heat illness, move to a cooler location, rest a few minutes and slowly drink cool liquid.
If conditions don’t improve, seek immediate medical attention, Koopmann said.
It’s also a good idea to speak with a doctor or pharmacist about the effects of sun and heat when taking prescription medications, Koopmann said.
