Heat wave warning: Protect your kidneys during extreme temperatures

CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — As Central Virginia continues to grapple with scorching temperatures, staying cool is top of mind for many. But beyond just comfort, extreme heat poses a significant risk to a vital organ: your kidneys. For those with pre-existing kidney issues, the danger is even more pronounced.

"If you have some form of chronic renal disease, chronic kidney disease, long term kidney disease, then you need to be extra cautious about being in heat," said UVA Health Emergency Physician, Dr. William Brady.

Dr. Brady emphasized that the kidneys are among the first organs to feel the impact of dehydration. Heat illness affects the kidneys in two primary ways.

First, prolonged dehydration can significantly impair kidney function.

"When blood flow to the kidney is impaired and reduced... then the function of the kidney is altered and the kidney doesn't work correctly," Dr. Brady explained. While staying hydrated is crucial, he clarified, "Do you need to drink gallon after gallon after a gallon of water? No, but you need to remain hydrated."

Second -- prolonged high body temperature. If your core body temperature reaches above 104 degrees Fahrenheit for an extended period, it can be extremely dangerous.

"With that heat building up in the body, it causes the body's systems to not work correctly and then eventually can make them stop working at all," Dr. Brady stated. This includes the delicate cells within the kidneys.

One indicator that your kidneys might be struggling due to dehydration is darker urine.

"That just means that the body is holding on to water much more aggressively and not releasing it in urine," Dr. Brady said.

According to the National Kidney Foundation, nearly 2 million adults in Virginia and Metro DC are living with chronic kidney disease (CKD), but more than 1.75 million may not be aware.

Maintaining proper kidney function is essential for overall health and survival. Dr. Brady urged everyone to recognize the inherent risks of sun exposure during this heatwave and to take protective measures.

"If you have access to air conditioning, get into an air-conditioned cool environment," Dr. Brady advised. "Not only for your general well-being, but for your kidneys' well-being, you need to get out of the heat."

The Richmond Ambulance Authority has experienced a notable increase in call volume this week compared to last, coinciding with the intense heat. From Sunday, June 22, through Tuesday, June 24, there were 112 more calls, totaling 687 compared to 575 the previous week.

Specifically, heat-related emergencies have increased. So far this week, there have been 17 calls for heat exhaustion or heatstroke (10 on Monday, June 23, and 7 on Tuesday, June 24).

According to RAA, many calls were not explicitly coded as "heat-related," such as those for "difficulty breathing" or "unconscious" individuals, could very well have had heat as a contributing factor, potentially accounting for the overall increase in emergency responses.