SAN ANTONIO – San Antonio’s summer heat is sending more people to the emergency room in 2026 — and a local doctor says the numbers are hard to ignore.
Dr. Ralph Riviello, chair of emergency medicine at UT Health San Antonio and University Health, says his team typically sees one or two heat-related cases per week. This summer, that number has climbed to three, four, sometimes five a week.
And the timing is unusual.
“There was a delay in the really high temperatures,” Riviello said. “We’re seeing it more concentrated now — later into July and August — compared to previous summers.”
Who is showing up?
It is not just one type of person. Riviello says construction workers, landscapers, and athletes are among the most common cases — but he also points to a group that often gets overlooked: older adults who may not be running their air conditioning at home due to the cost.
“The heat builds up inside their house or apartment, and then they suffer,” he said.
Don’t be fooled by the number on the thermometer
Riviello says humidity is making things more dangerous than people realize. A day that feels like 94 degrees can actually feel much hotter once humidity is factored in — and that is when people let their guard down.
“People may get lulled into a sense of security,” he said.
Heat stroke is the most severe form of heat-related illness and can be life-threatening. Symptoms include confusion, loss of consciousness, and skin that is hot but not sweating.
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