Beach trips, cookouts and other outdoor activities are in full swing as summer arrives and the first widespread heat wave of 2025 hits the U.S. For many people, summer is their favorite time of year.

Extreme summer heat can weigh heavily on the body and mind. Skyrocketing temperatures can have a severe impact on heart health in particular — especially for people with pre-existing conditions.

Dr. Ward studies how extreme heat is reshaping lives and livelihoods in communities across the United States. Just five days into summer, much of the United States is gripped by a record-breaking heat ...