How heatstroke kills – it can still be deadly after your body cools down

Pheelings media/Shutterstock Europe is in the grip of yet another deadly heatwave. Over 10,000 excess deaths were recorded during late-June 2026 alone – and the toll keeps climbing. With the acceleration of the climate crisis, heatstroke is predicted to become more prevalent. Understanding why it is so often fatal is now an urgent question. Heatstroke happens when the body’s core temperature climbs above 40°C. This can cause the brain to malfunction, resulting in confusion and seizures. It can…