Risk of fatal heart attack may double in heat wave & high fine particulate pollution days: American Heart Association
2023 AUG 07 (NewsRx) -- By a
Embargoed until
“Extreme temperature events are becoming more frequent, longer and more intense, and their adverse health effects have drawn growing concern. Another environmental issue worldwide is the presence of fine particulate matter in the air, which may interact synergistically with extreme temperatures to adversely affect cardiovascular health,” said senior author
To examine the impact of extreme temperatures with and without high levels of fine particulate pollution, the researchers analyzed 202,678 heart attack deaths between 2015-2020 that occurred in
Extreme temperatures were gauged according to the daily heat index (also referred to as apparent temperature) for an area, which captures the combined effect of both heat and humidity. Both the length and extremeness of heat waves and cold snaps were evaluated. Heart attack deaths, or case days, during these periods were compared with control days on the same day of the week in the same month - meaning that if a death occurred on a Wednesday, all other Wednesdays in the same month would be considered control days. Particulate levels were considered high on any day with an average level of fine particulate matter above 37.5 micrograms per cubic meter.
“Our findings provide evidence that reducing exposure to both extreme temperatures and fine particulate pollution may be useful to prevent premature deaths from heart attack, especially for women and older adults,” Liu said.
Compared with control days, the risk of a fatal heart attack was observed at the following levels:
The researchers estimated that up to 2.8% of heart attack deaths may be attributed to the combination of extreme temperatures and high levels of fine particulate pollution (> 37.5 micrograms per cubic meter), according to WHO targets.
“Strategies for individuals to avoid negative health effects from extreme temperatures include following weather forecasts, staying inside when temperatures are extreme, using fans and air conditioners during hot weather, dressing appropriately for the weather, proper hydration and installing window blinds to reduce indoor temperatures,” said Liu. “Using an air purifier in the house, wearing a mask outdoors, staying clear of busy highways when walking and choosing less-strenuous outdoor activities may also help to reduce exposure to air pollution on days with high levels of fine particulate pollution. To improve public health, it is important to take fine particulate pollution into consideration when providing extreme temperature warnings to the public.”
In a 2020 scientific statement and a 2020 policy statement, the
The investigators recommended additional research about the possible interactive effects of extreme weather events and fine particulate pollution on heart attack deaths in areas with different temperature and pollution ranges to confirm their findings. The study did not include adjustments for any adaptive behaviors taken by individuals, such as using air conditioning and staying indoors, when temperatures are extreme or pollution levels are high, which could cause misclassification of individuals’ exposure to weather and alter their risk patterns. These results also may not be generalizable to other regions in
Background:
Co-authors and authors’ disclosures are listed in the manuscript. This study was funded by China’s
Statements and conclusions of studies published in the American Heart Association’s scientific journals are solely those of the study authors and do not necessarily reflect the Association’s policy or position. The Association makes no representation or guarantee as to their accuracy or reliability. The Association receives funding primarily from individuals; foundations and corporations (including pharmaceutical, device manufacturers and other companies) also make donations and fund specific Association programs and events. The Association has strict policies to prevent these relationships from influencing the science content. Revenues from pharmaceutical and biotech companies, device manufacturers and health insurance providers and the Association’s overall financial information are available here.
Additional Resources:
Keywords for this news article include:
(Our reports deliver fact-based news of research and discoveries from around the world.)
Research from Texas A&M University Yields New Study Findings on Risk Management (Economic benefit of co-regulation to manage aflatoxin risk in maize): Risk Management
Patent Issued for Secure session sharing between computing devices (USPTO 11706219): United Services Automobile Association
Advisor News
- Year-end planning errors retirees should avoid
- Social cultivation: How to talk with wealthy prospects
- How important is a written financial plan?
- Coalition wants to advise people impacted by policy changes in new administration
- Diagnosing miscommunication in retirement planning
More Advisor NewsAnnuity News
Health/Employee Benefits News
- ACA rates on the rise as future of enhanced subsidies in question
- Beware of scams during open enrollment for insurance
- New Jersey Assembly to Decide on Health Coverage for Biomarker Testing | Insurify
- CVS Health cuts 42 more jobs linked to Aetna Hartford HQ
- A look at health savings accounts
More Health/Employee Benefits NewsLife Insurance News