At what temperature is a patient considered to have severe hypothermia?

A patient is considered to have severe hypothermia when their core body temperature falls below 82°F. At this temperature, the body's metabolic processes begin to slow down significantly, which can lead to a host of life-threatening complications including cardiac arrhythmias, decreased mental status, and impaired thermoregulation.

In cases of severe hypothermia, the central nervous system is particularly affected, which can result in confusion or loss of consciousness. Additionally, cardiovascular effects become more pronounced, as the heart may begin to experience rhythm disturbances that increase the risk of cardiac arrest.

It’s important for healthcare providers, including Advanced EMTs, to recognize this critical threshold in order to initiate appropriate warming measures and further interventions to prevent severe complications. Knowing this information helps in rapid assessment and treatment in cases of suspected hypothermia.