Box Hill’s emergency department experienced above average heat-related hospitalisations in late January, as the impact of the recent heat wave that loomed over the eastern suburbs took its toll.

From January 21-28, the Eastern Health Box Hill Emergency Department saw 72 patients who presented with heat-related illnesses.

Presentations included syncope (fainting), 16 cases of gastroenteritis, 15 cases of dizziness, 13 acute strokes and eight cases of fatigue and weakness, all above the weekly average at the Box Hill site.

On Wednesday 22nd January, 204 patients required admission across the eastern suburb’s three emergency departments, which includes Box Hill, Upper Ferntree Gully (Angliss), and Ringwood East (Maroondah). While not all related to the heat, the 204 admissions figure is still well above average, with a spike likely resulting from the run of very hot days from Saturday 18th January to Tuesday 21st January.

Heat waves increase the risk of other health issues

Eastern Health director of emergency services Dr Peter Jordan said it was always important to be aware and respond in a timely fashion to all symptoms, not only acute heat illness or heat stroke.

“The majority of heat-wave related acute health impacts involve presentations other than acute heat illness and heat stroke,” he told the Eastern Melburnian.

“Epidemiological data shows that heat waves increase the risk of many other conditions including stroke, myocardial infarction/heart attack, mental illness, gastroenteritis, heart failure and kidney problems.

“A number of these conditions occur in the days after a heat-wave, not just the day of the heat-wave itself.”

Research analysing Australia’s summers from 1951 to 2020 show Australia’s heatwaves have been getting longer, hotter and more frequent, as well as expanding in size and scope of the hotter seasons.

With climate change driving up temperatures, the Bureau has indicated the February to April period will include warmer than average days for southern and eastern Australia.

People over the age of 65, babies and young children, pregnant women, people with acute or chronic health problems and people who are socially isolated were among the groups most at risk of experiencing heat-related symptoms.

How to stay safe during extreme heat and heatwaves

Tips on how to stay safe during periods of extreme heat included:

• Staying as cool as possible

• Watching for signs of dehydration

• Checking in with loved ones and

• Planning ahead so you schedule outdoor trips or activities on cooler days.

The Bureau has issued a severe heatwave warning for most of Victoria for Saturday, Sunday and Monday, with the temperature expected to hit a maximum of 37 degrees on Sunday and Monday.