What is the primary cause of death for hypothermia?

Left untreated, hypothermia can eventually lead to complete failure of your heart and respiratory system and eventually to death. Hypothermia is often caused by exposure to cold weather or immersion in cold water. read more

Possible causes of hypothermia include: Cold exposure. When the balance between the body's heat production and heat loss tips toward heat loss for a prolonged period, hypothermia can occur. Accidental hypothermia usually happens after cold temperature exposure without enough warm, dry clothing for protection. read more

Cold weather is the primary cause of hypothermia. When your body experiences extremely cold temperatures, it loses heat more quickly than it can produce it. Staying in cold water too long can also cause these effects. The inability to produce adequate body heat is extremely dangerous. read more

Primary hypothermia is due to environmental exposure, with no underlying medical condition causing disruption of temperature regulation. Secondary hypothermia is low body temperature resulting from a medical illness lowering the temperature set-point. read more