Australian study reveals 50,000 years of lost healthy life annually due to cardiovascular disease linked to weather.
Scientists have established a connection between cardiovascular problems and high temperatures, predicting a possible doubling or tripling of heart disease in the next 25 years if the current climate patterns persist.
In a report released on Monday, Australian researchers stated that 49,483 years of healthy life are lost every year to cardiovascular issues caused by weather-induced health problems. They caution that the effects of extreme weather events are likely to intensify over the next few decades.
The study, featured in the European Heart Journal, analyzed data from the Australian Burden of Disease Database, covering cardiovascular disease-related illnesses from 2003 to 2018.
“High temperatures require our hearts to work harder to keep us cool. This extra strain is particularly hazardous for individuals with cardiovascular disease,” commented Professor Peng Bi from the University of Adelaide.
The researchers estimated that 7.3 percent of the total cardiovascular disease burden or mortality can be linked to extreme weather conditions.
According to the report, this percentage could double or triple by 2050, depending on the greenhouse gas emission scenarios outlined by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
Groundbreaking Research
“While our study centers on Australia, the crucial relationship between higher temperatures and increased cardiovascular risks has been observed worldwide,” said lead author Jingwen Liu from the University of Adelaide.
Liu emphasized that the research is “groundbreaking globally,” highlighting that “our comprehensive methodology renders the study invaluable for devising future climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies.”
The authors also noted the potential for reducing the impact of high temperatures on cardiovascular disease through adaptation strategies.
“Our findings further emphasize the need for prompt investment in adaptation and mitigation efforts, including urban cooling measures, public health initiatives, and enhanced emergency responses during heatwaves,” said Bi.
