Heat-Related Emergencies in the Gulf Region: A Literature Review of the Current Epidemiology, Diagnosis, and Effective Management Strategies

Heat-related emergencies constitute a major and growing public health challenge in the Gulf region due to extreme climatic conditions, rapid urbanization, and widespread occupational heat exposure. Rising ambient temperatures, high humidity, and recurrent heatwaves significantly increase the incidence of heat-related illnesses, particularly heat exhaustion and heatstroke, placing substantial strain on emergency healthcare services. This literature review aims to synthesize existing evidence on the epidemiology, environmental and occupational risk factors, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnostic challenges, and management strategies of heat-related emergencies in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. A structured search of PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar was conducted to identify relevant studies published between 2010 and 2025. The findings indicate that heat-related illnesses disproportionately affect outdoor workers, pilgrims, and vulnerable populations such as older adults and individuals with chronic disease. Delayed presentation, diagnostic overlap with other acute conditions, and variability in emergency department cooling practices contribute to adverse outcomes, including multiorgan dysfunction and increased mortality. Early recognition and rapid initiation of effective cooling remain the cornerstone of management. Preventive strategies, including occupational heat regulations, public health interventions, and early warning systems, are essential to mitigate the escalating burden of heat-related emergencies in the region. Strengthening standardized clinical protocols and region-specific prevention policies is critical in the context of ongoing climate change.