Which of the following best describes the symptoms of heat cramps?

The symptoms of heat cramps are best described by the presence of painful muscle tension or spasm. Heat cramps typically occur when the body loses a great deal of salt and water through sweating, resulting in painful, involuntary contractions of the muscles, particularly in the legs or abdomen. This condition is often linked to vigorous exercise in hot weather and signifies that the body's electrolyte balance is disrupted, which requires prompt attention to prevent escalation into more serious heat-related illnesses.

Other symptoms commonly associated with heat-related issues, such as rapid breathing and heart rate or profuse sweating without cramps, do not specifically represent heat cramps themselves, but may suggest other conditions such as heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Numbness and tingling are also not typically associated with heat cramps, as they pertain more to neurological or circulatory concerns rather than the muscular spasms that characterize this specific condition.