Heat waves not only promote the development of strokes, but also worsen symptoms of existing neurological diseases such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease or dementia. The German Society of Neurology (DGN) therefore warns of the risks for these particularly vulnerable patient groups and supports the position paper of the German Climate Change and Health Alliance (KLUG) on the Heat Action Day on June 11, 2026.

According to studies, high temperatures and, above all, warm nights significantly increase the risk of stroke. In Parkinson’s patients, there is a worsening of motor and non-motor symptoms during heat waves, as well as more hospital admissions. In multiple sclerosis, neurological symptoms worsen, and in dementia patients, the risk of life-threatening delirium increases. Mortality after strokes also increases in heat.

Even if heat is not the cause of these diseases, the data show the great potential of heat protection measures, explained DGN Secretary General Prof. Dr. Peter Berlit. Many deaths and hospitalizations could be prevented. The DGN calls for the health and care sector to be made heat-resilient – including air-conditioned clinics, rehabilitation and care facilities as well as barrier-free cool emergency shelters.

In addition, the professional society sees potential in a personalized “stroke warning app” that could provide individual warnings and behavioral recommendations based on location, age, risk factors and other data. A corresponding study from China has shown that such a tool could prevent a significant proportion of heat-related stroke deaths. However, such an app would have to be combined with sufficient infrastructure such as cool retreats.

The DGN emphasizes that heat protection serves both primary and secondary prevention and is an important component of climate adaptation in the health care system.

Further information:

SMART. Position paper on crisis resilience in extreme heat. Available at: https://hitzeaktionstag.de/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Positionspapier-Krisenresilienz-bei-Extremhitze_HAT.pdf

Editor: X-Press Journalistenbüro GbR

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