What you should know
- Australian researchers have discovered that heat is a significant factor in the development of heart disease.
- The burden of heat-related heart diseases is expected to double if global temperatures continue to rise.
- Experts are advocating for protective health measures to safeguard people from the harmful effects of excessive heat.
A new study published in the European Journal of Cardiology indicates that escalating global temperatures are intensifying the impact of heart disease.
The study establishes heat as a major driver of cardiovascular disease burden for individuals in Australia.
Presently, cardiovascular diseases rank as the second-highest cause of fatalities in Australia and encompass coronary heart disease, the nation’s foremost cause of death, reunite atrial fibrillation, heart attacks, congenital heart disease, heart failure, and stroke.
Though high blood pressure, high cholesterol, inactivity, poor diet, smoking, and stress are recognized risk factors for heart conditions, the study points out that exposure to heat has been underappreciated.
“The burden of cardiovascular disease caused by hot weather in the context of climate change could double in the next 25 years,” stated lead author Peng Bi, a public health expert from the University of Adelaide.
This study enhances a growing body of evidence that human-induced climate change is increasingly posing a threat to public health.
“This presents a very alarming message to our community, service providers, and policymakers,” Bi remarked.
Heat’s impact on cardiovascular health
The study analyzed health data from the Australian population between 2003-2018, revealing that high temperatures have a significant effect on cardiovascular health.
The analysis showed that nearly 50,000 years of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) were lost annually during that timeframe due to heat-related cardiovascular diseases.
People living in hotter regions like the Northern Territory are at the highest risk of heat-related cardiovascular diseases.
Predictive models suggest that the incidence of heat-related heart diseases will likely more than double as global temperatures continue to rise.
Adaptation critical for vulnerable groups
Bi’s findings emphasize the need for authorities to devise strategies that protect high-risk populations from heat-related health issues.
People with chronic diseases, the elderly, and those with lower socioeconomic status are particularly susceptible.
Strategies include regular check-ins with vulnerable populations, as implemented after a severe heatwave in 2009, where university students made phone calls to check on senior citizens.
Guidelines for behavioral adaptation to heat include:
* Staying cool, indoors when possible, on hot days.
* Reducing activity levels.
* Limiting sun exposure.
* Staying hydrated.
* Using air-conditioning to reduce indoor temperatures.
Image: Antonio Cascio/REUTERS
Global implications of the data?
The study only examined health data from the Australian population, making it challenging to apply the data universally, according to cardiologist Filippo Crea from Rome, Italy.
Nevertheless, it is plausible that the trend is universally applicable.
The Australian study’s findings are in line with other global data indicating that rising temperatures drive health issues.
Studies have forecasted that by 2100, up to 70% of India’s population could be exposed to unlivable heat, and a recent Mexican study predicts a 32% rise in temperature-related deaths among those under 35.
Bi and colleagues emphasize the need for future research into how individuals can adapt to climate change, especially those most vulnerable to heat-induced health problems.
Edited by: Fred Schwaller
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