More than 400 people died of natural causes on Sunday, August 5th. The death rate was directly related to the high temperatures across Portugal.
The age group with the highest mortality was the over-75s, representing 324 of the 401 deaths recorded.
Saturday was not good news wither, with 309 deaths. The last period in which such a high death rate was logged was in January this year when the ‘flu epidemic that swept through the population, reached its peak.
The high number of deaths last weekend coincided with record temperatures in all regions except in the Algarve which was hot, but not exceptional.
Heat kills when core body temperature rises too high and everything breaks down: the gut leaks toxins into the body, cells begin to die, and a devastating inflammatory response can occur.
The elderly and those with chronic medical conditions have more difficulty regulating their body temperatures than those in midlife. Medications for some chronic diseases can make the problem worse. Likewise, the signals between body and brain that make people feel thirsty may not function as well in old age.
The elderly, neurologically disabled and mentally ill also tend to be more socially isolated than their younger, healthier counterparts, far and away the biggest risk factor for dying during a heat wave.
Elderly people living alone in apartments without airconditioning are particularly at risk.
