Nicosia, Cyprus. Prolonged heat in Cyprus can affect health well before heatstroke occurs, with experts warning that common summer symptoms such as headaches, poor sleep and fatigue may reflect cumulative heat stress. Research in Cyprus has linked high temperatures and heatwaves to increased mortality and hospital admissions.
Experts warn against normalising heat symptoms
Many people recognise the warning signs of heatstroke, but symptoms including headaches lasting for days, trouble sleeping, afternoon mental fog and tiredness during the hottest part of summer are often seen as routine.
GP and certified Lifestyle Medicine Physician Dr Nicola Ioannou said many people in Cyprus underestimate the cumulative effects of heat because it is a normal part of daily life. She said symptoms such as headaches, poor sleep, low energy and dizziness often become normalised during summer.
Research identifies measurable public health effects
Although heatstroke is the most widely recognised heat-related illness, research indicates that the health impacts of extreme temperatures appear before medical emergencies develop.
Research conducted by the Cyprus Institute found that elevated daytime and nighttime temperatures, as well as heatwaves, are associated with increased mortality and hospital admissions in Cyprus, particularly for cardiovascular, respiratory and diabetes-related conditions.
Fragkeskos Kekkou, a PhD candidate and Graduate Research Fellow at the Climate and Atmosphere Research Center, said the research shows that high daytime and nighttime temperatures and heatwaves already have measurable impacts on public health in Cyprus.
Heat linked to deaths during warm season
According to the research, about 3.6 per cent of deaths in the warm season are linked to extreme temperatures even when there is no heatwave. During heatwaves, that figure rises to nearly 19 per cent.
The findings show how prolonged extreme heat can affect health, even outside the most severe heat events.
Body strain and dehydration among overlooked effects
The body operates within a limited temperature range, and when temperatures rise, it must work harder to stay cool. This increases strain on systems including the cardiovascular and respiratory systems.
Experts said the effects can range from discomfort and exhaustion to more severe health problems, while many milder effects are often overlooked.
Ioannou said many people become mildly dehydrated over days or weeks without fully realising it. She said this can lead to headaches, fatigue, dizziness, constipation and muscle cramps.
