Visitors with health problems are being urged to take care in the heat following the death of a Japanese-American tourist at Clearwater Beach.

The 64-year-old Connecticut resident was found floating in the shallow water early on Wednesday afternoon after a suspected heart attack.

Parks Director Candy Foggo said: "We understand that prior to vacation she had suffered chest pains and was undergoing tests before coming out here.

"We also think she had them while she was over here.'' "We think she had a heart attack and in a matter of micro seconds went from being conscious to unconscious.'' An eyewitness told The Royal Gazette yesterday that the woman was first spotted by a small boy swimming nearby, not by the lifeguard.

But Ms Foggo defended the lifeguard.

She said: "I have no qualms or worries about his competence in performing his duties. He did it to the utmost of his ability.

"In normal circumstances people underwater want to get their breath but in this case it didn't happen and she went straight into unconscious submersion.'' Ms Foggo added: "The life guard was out from the tower to her in a matter of seconds.'' She said tourists should beware of the heat.

"They should exercise caution and restrict their activity in the heat of the day and at the height of the summer. People should follow their doctor's advice if they have chest pains.

"But one of the classic symptoms of a heart attack is denial. People suffer pains and attribute it to something else.

"For instance they get pains radiating out from their heart and shooting down their arm but they blame it on last night's pizza.'' HEALTH HTH