Three people have died from causes linked to Chicago’s recent heat wave, according to records from the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office.
David Gonzalez, 44, died from heat stroke complicated by hypertension, diabetes and obesity. The medical examiner also said autopsies showed that two other deaths reported on July 4 were related to the heat. The autopsy for Mike Rodriguez, 57, showed that he died as a result of hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease as the primary cause, complicated by heat stress and diabetes. An autopsy for Barbara Whigham, 71, also reported on July 4, showed that she died as a result of hypertensive cardiovascular disease, complicated by heat stress, asthma and obesity.
The deaths come after health officials and advocates warned that stretches of extreme heat could be dangerous for people with chronic conditions and those without reliable access to air conditioning.
“The stress and strain, the dehydration and the poor sleep can build up over several days and lead to worsened outcomes, especially in vulnerable populations,” Dr. Sheetal Rao, an assistant professor of medicine and public health at the University of Illinois Chicago, previously told the Chicago Sun-Times.
Chicago’s recent heat wave began June 29. At the time, Mayor Brandon Johnson cited the city’s 1995 heat wave, where 739 people died.. The weather returned to normal temperatures over the weekend, with no prolonged extreme heat expected in the immediate forecast.