Heat Waves and Cold Snaps Linked to More Fatal Heart Attacks, Study Finds
A new study is linking extreme temperature shifts to increased incidents of fatal heart attacks. The research, conducted by a team at the University of Michigan, underscores the importance of understanding both short-term and long-term changes in climate on human health.
The team studied over 350,000 non-fatal and fatal heart attack hospitalizations in the United States from 1999-2018. They then placed the data into a larger context of mapping daily temperatures and found a correlation in daily temperature increases over seven-day and thirty-day periods.
The study found that looking at both seven- and thirty-day periods with higher than average temperatures, heart attack incidents increased across the board. But for fatal heart attack hospitalizations, the study found that seven-day periods with the greatest daily temperature increase were associated with a higher number of fatal heart attacks.
The researchers hypothesized that extreme temperature shifts pose more of a risk to heart health because the body needs to adapt to temperature changes, which can elicit a physiological stress response that may precipitate a heart attack.
In addition, the study confirmed previous findings that both hot and cold weather can contribute to an increased risk of fatal heart attacks. Cold snaps put stress on the body in the form of increased airway resistance, increased blood pressure, and disrupted platelet function. Heat waves make the body’s job of regulating temperature and blood pressure more difficult, potentially contributing to the development of cardiovascular disease.
The study authors recommend that healthcare providers and public health officials take these findings into consideration and help protect vulnerable populations by encouraging preventative strategies during times of extreme temperature. These strategies could include staying cool and hydrated during heat waves and keeping warm during cold snaps, as well as recognizing signs of increased heart risk.
Ultimately, this research can help guide our understanding of the dynamic effects of climate change on human health. As the planet continues to warm, it is important to be mindful of how extreme temperature shifts can impact individuals, and strive to put measures in place to prevent increased risk of heart attacks.
