It’s a global health crisis.
Climate change poses a significant threat to global cardiovascular health, according to a recent review published in JAMA Cardiology. Researchers, including Dhruv Kazi from the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, underscored that rising temperatures, severe weather events such as hurricanes, and other climate-related phenomena are contributing to heightened risks of heart disease and related fatalities.
The average global temperature has risen by over 2 degrees Fahrenheit in the last century, leading to profound shifts in weather patterns, rising sea levels, and ecological disruptions. The hottest years on record have all occurred within the past decade, highlighting the accelerating pace of climate change impacts.
Drawing from nearly 500 studies spanning from 1970 to 2023, the review documented the detrimental effects of climate-related factors on cardiovascular health. These factors include extreme temperatures, wildfire smoke, ozone pollution, and events like hurricanes, dust storms, and droughts. Vulnerable populations such as older adults, minority groups, and economically disadvantaged individuals are disproportionately affected.
The review also noted that the health risks associated with extreme weather events can persist for extended periods, with heightened mortality rates from heart disease observed up to a year following disasters like Hurricane Sandy in 2012.
Wildfire smoke, in particular, has been linked to increased risks of cardiac arrest and systemic inflammation, affecting populations hundreds of miles away from the fires themselves. Urgent calls were made for further research to accurately quantify these risks, especially as climate change intensifies.
Dr. Kazi emphasized the physiological pathways through which climate change impacts cardiovascular health, including increased heart rate and blood pressure during heatwaves, and the mental distress caused by natural disasters. He stressed the importance of proactive measures such as developing contingency plans for medication access during emergencies like floods or hurricanes.
Looking ahead, researchers highlighted the critical need for more studies, particularly in low-income countries where populations may face heightened susceptibility to climate-related cardiovascular risks. Understanding these risks comprehensively will be essential for developing effective strategies to protect global heart health in the face of ongoing climate change.
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