By Franklin Delgado
A new report from American Journal of Preventive Treatment has found a significant relationship between extreme weather conditions and the increase in heart disease in 157 Chinese cities between 2015 and 2020. Researchers warn that the risk of cardiovascular disease increases considerably with extreme heat, cold and heavy rain.
“Overall, we found that extreme heat and extreme cold were associated with a higher burden of cardiovascular disease at the city level in 157 Chinese cities between 2015 and 2020,” Linjiang Wei, one of the study’s lead authors and a PhD researcher at Xiamen University, told ABC Recordsdata.
Key data from the report include:
- For every day with temperatures above 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit (38°C), the risk of heart disease increases by 3%.
- Cold temperatures, meanwhile, increase the risk by less than 1% for days equal to or lower than 14 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Additionally, for every day with more than two inches of rain, the risk of heart problems increases almost 2%.
Vulnerable groups
The study has also identified that certain groups are at greater risk. People under retirement age, smokers, those with a high body mass index, and those who live in rural areas with high ozone levels are particularly susceptible.
Regional variations show that heat affects eastern areas more, while cold has a greater impact on western areas.
“The relationship between climate change and cardiovascular risk is certainly well-studied, and the environmental factors we’ve discussed above account for at least one in five of the 20 million annual deaths from cardiovascular disease worldwide,” said Dr. Jennifer Miao, a cardiologist at Yale School of Medicine and a researcher at the Yale Medical Unit. ABC Recordsdata.
“I think it’s important for patients and their healthcare providers to recognize that environmental risk factors are a significantly contributing ingredient to the development of not only cardiovascular disease, but also lung disease, cancers… everything,” Miao added.
Implications for public health
The authors of the study emphasize the seriousness of these findings in the context of climate change. It is estimated that 84% of heat wave days between 2020 and 2024 would not have occurred without global warming.
This increase in the frequency of extreme weather events poses an increasing risk to public health and suggests the need for additional precautions during these events.
It is advisable that patients stay hydrated, avoid unnecessary physical exertion, and seek medical attention if they experience concerning symptoms. Weather alerts could be interpreted as cardiovascular health warnings, especially for more vulnerable populations.
You may also be interested in:
• Nearly Half of Americans Breathe Unhealthy Air, New Report Finds
• A natural, cheap and simple practice that can help prevent childhood myopia
• It matters where you live: the impact of the environment on brain aging
