“Climate Change Crisis: How Extreme Weather is Impacting Heart Health Worldwide”
Climate change is having a detrimental impact on heart health worldwide, according to a new review published in the journal JAMA Cardiology. Researchers have found that high temperatures, natural disasters, ozone pollution, and wildfire smoke are all contributing to an increased risk of heart disease and heart-related death.
The average global temperature has risen by more than 2 degrees Fahrenheit over the last century, leading to long-term shifts in weather patterns, rising sea levels, and disrupted ecosystems. The hottest 10 years on record have all occurred in the past decade, highlighting the urgency of addressing climate change.
The review, which analyzed data from nearly 500 studies conducted between 1970 and 2023, found that older adults, minority groups, and the poor are disproportionately affected by the impact of climate change on heart health. The risk posed by extreme weather events can last for months or even years following the initial hazard, with events like hurricanes and wildfires causing widespread health risks.
For example, the risk of death from heart disease remained elevated up to a year after Hurricane Sandy hit New York City in 2012, causing billions of dollars in damage. Wildfire smoke has also been linked to an increased risk of cardiac arrest and other heart health problems, even for people hundreds of miles away from the actual event.
Dr. Dhruv Kazi, associate director of the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center’s Center for Outcomes Research, emphasized the need for urgent action to mitigate climate change-related cardiovascular risk, particularly among vulnerable populations. He highlighted the impact of extreme heat on heart rate and blood pressure, wildfire smoke on systemic inflammation, and natural disasters on mental distress.
Patients can take steps to protect their heart health by planning ahead and minimizing their exposure to extreme heat and wildfire smoke. Developing contingency plans to ensure a steady supply of necessary medications during weather events like hurricanes or floods is crucial for maintaining heart health.
Further research is needed to assess the heart health risk of climate change in poorer nations, where populations may be at even higher risk. Dr. Mary Rice, a pulmonary and critical care physician at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, stressed the importance of understanding the environmental stressors that are increasing in frequency and intensity with climate change.
In conclusion, the findings of this review underscore the urgent need for action to address the impact of climate change on heart health. By limiting exposure to extreme heat and wildfire smoke, and planning ahead for weather events, individuals can take proactive steps to protect their cardiovascular health.