It's been a scorcher this summer.

And the heat isn't just uncomfortable.

It could also be considered a silent killer.

Nearly 200 people in New Jersey died of heatstroke between 2020 20, state data shows.

But as health care writer Lilo Stainton reports, those figures are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the impact of heat.

She sat down with me to discuss more.

Lilo, Thanks for joining me.

Thank you Raven.

So it has been a severely hot summer record temps, and according to your reporting, that he can also be considered a silent killer.

So explain that.

How so?

Yeah, it's interesting.

Considered a silent killer, largely because we don't talk about it enough on the media and we don't.

And it's not as visual.

I listen to this great podcast.

Thank you, John Reitmeyer.

That like it was all about how, you know, in the media, when you have a flood or another disaster, there's so many visuals and it's a really clear story with heat.

It's sort of subtle.

It kills people who are older, it kills people who are poorer.

They end up in the hospital.

So what's behind closed doors?

That's why it's sort of silent.

And, you know, we're left with images of, you know, fried eggs on the sidewalk and fire hydrants, you know.

So part of that is us not being good at telling the story.

So you mentioned who it kind of impacts the most.

So what are the warning signs that folks should look out for?

I mean, absolutely.

They're they're really common.

And I do think it's important to say this is one of these conditions, heat, you know, health related things where money really separates us.

Right.

People with just a moderate amount of income can usually have air conditioning, and that's a key.

So, you know, symptoms of heat exhaustion, which is sort of the first stage, are, you know, profuse sweating, you know, achyness having a headache if it progresses where you get --, but you're extremely hot or you get really confused.

That's more those are more signs of heat stroke and that involves going to you really should go to an emergency room, according to the people that I talked to.

Heat exhaustion, the treatment is come inside, cool off, drink water, and and give your body time to recover, because it really does take time.

So the good thing is here in New Jersey, they are trying to prevent that.

Right.

Prevent heat related injuries and deaths with some regulation.

Walk me through some of those.

Yeah, I mean, they are I think, first of all, there's just sort of more awareness about it in clinical conditions.

You know, doctors are seeing more of it.

You know, the doctor I spoke with, Dr. Henry Dunn, said you know, she sees it in all kinds of age groups.

Right.

Because it's the elderly are most vulnerable people with underlying conditions and, of course, asthma, diabetes, you know, heart condition.

Who doesn't have one of those?

Right.

And a few others.

And I think, you know, and younger kids, she said kids are really susceptible because because you don't necessarily they can just go and go and go and suddenly they crash and you don't see it coming.

So I think, yes, there are efforts both by medical groups, there's some legislative efforts that are new, but there's, you know, generally, hopefully a growing awareness and just pleas, like the doctor I said talked to, you know, consider it like it's it's dangerous weather because it is, you know.

And just just quickly, before we leave, what are what are three main takeaways for someone who has to plan for extreme heat?

What are three recommendations you would give them?

Right.

Hydration, you know, of course, seek shade and cooling when you can.

And just as much as possible.

Limit that time outdoors.

She made a great example.

You know if you're going to an amusement park, do go go in the morning, in the afternoon evening.

Don't go go home for lunch, spend a few hours by the pool, you know, take a break.

Right.

All right, Lilo keeping us cool and say thank you.

Thank you, Raven.

And take care.

Support for the medical report is provided by Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey.

An independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.