Who is at risk for hypothermia?
The following people are most at risk for hypothermia: • elderly persons, who often have other illnesses, such as heart disease or circulation problems, or take medications that interfere with the body’s ability to regulate its temperature • elderly persons with inadequate food, clothing, or heat; often these persons sit alone for hours or days at a time in a cold apartment or home; improper nutrition also makes them more susceptible to the cold • infants and/or toddlers sleeping in cold bedrooms • persons who remain outdoors for long periods of time, such as the homeless, hikers, and hunters Half of the elderly persons who develop hypothermia die before, or soon after, being found. However, even young, seemingly strong people, are affected by hypothermia when exposed to the cold for long periods of time.
