Winter brings many problems.
Recent research indicates a rise in hospital admissions for heart attacks following the onset of cold weather. The study, led by Wenli Ni from Harvard University, reveals that cold conditions may significantly increase the risk of acute cardiac events. The findings were presented at the European Society of Cardiology’s annual meeting and published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC).
The research focused on data from Sweden’s SWEDEHEART registry, which included 120,380 patients. The team examined hospital admissions for heart attacks during the cold season, from October to March, over a period from 2005 to 2019. Cold spells were defined as periods of two or more consecutive days with temperatures in the lowest 10% of recorded values.
The study found a slight decline in heart attack admissions on the first day of a cold snap, but a significant increase in hospitalizations two to six days later. This pattern was observed regardless of whether individuals experienced a heart attack for the first time or were recurrent patients. The researchers suggest that people may initially stay indoors during cold spells but are at greater risk when they eventually venture outside.
In an editorial accompanying the study, experts Kai Chen from Yale and Dr. Khurram Nasir from Houston Methodist stressed the importance of preparing healthcare systems for the effects of extreme temperatures. They highlighted that climate change is increasing temperature variability, which necessitates comprehensive strategies to address both cold and heat-related cardiovascular risks.
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