Extreme Heat Predicted to Lead to Surge in Cardiovascular Deaths in United States
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Extreme Heat Predicted to Lead to Surge in Cardiovascular Deaths in United States
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Extreme Heat Predicted to Lead to Surge in Cardiovascular Deaths in United States
Rising temperatures in the United States are signaling a significant increase in cardiovascular disease-related deaths, particularly among the elderly and Black individuals.
Researchers suggest implementing community-focused heat mitigation strategies. A new study forecasts a substantial rise in cardiovascular deaths linked to high temperatures over the next forty years.
According to a new analysis by the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, extreme heat will lead to an increase in cardiovascular deaths associated with high temperatures over the next four decades.
Heatwaves affect heart health in multiple ways, including increased heart rate, blood pressure fluctuations, and intensified inflammation. If left untreated, these issues can be fatal.
On Oct 30, a research, published in the journal “Circulation,” also indicates that deaths due to cardiovascular disease caused by extreme heat will rise, especially among the elderly and Black population.
Understanding the Impact of Rising Temperatures
Dr. Sameed Khatana, Assistant Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and a senior author of the study, states, “As global temperatures rise, analyzing the connections between population and environmental trends is crucial for accurately predicting how extreme heat events will affect the cardiovascular health of American adults in the coming decades.”
Based on their analysis, it is expected that there will be a statistically significant increase in cardiovascular deaths related to extreme heat among American adults from the current period (2008-2019) to the middle of this century (2036-2065).
Research Methods and Findings
To arrive at this conclusion, researchers assessed cardiovascular deaths related to extreme heat during the years 2008-2019. During this period, an average of 54 days each summer experienced a heat index of 90 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, resulting in a total of 1,651 deaths due to related cardiovascular diseases. Researchers then combined this estimate with predictions of extreme heat days and changes in the population size for the mid-century. Due to more frequent heatwaves and demographic shifts, they anticipate annual deaths reaching between 4,320 and 5,491 people by the mid-21st century.
Additionally, they analyzed the impact of these changes on specific population subgroups, such as the elderly and Black individuals. The researchers found that the number of cardiovascular-related deaths due to heat exposure among Black adults could increase significantly, with an estimated over 500% increase in the next decade compared to the current number of deaths due to cardiovascular complications. This may be attributed to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease among Black adults, which could be linked to social determinants of health, such as community poverty levels, and clinical factors like blood pressure. Previous research has also shown that communities with a higher proportion of non-white residents have lower rates of air conditioning usage and less tree canopy coverage, which increases heat exposure for residents in these areas.
Addressing Health Disparities and Recommendations
Khatana emphasizes, “This is a health equity issue, and without measures to mitigate its impact, extreme heat could widen the existing disparities in cardiovascular health among American communities. Furthermore, those with underlying conditions like diabetes and heart disease are at greater risk during temperature increases. As the body attempts to cool down, irregular heartbeats, heart attacks, or strokes may occur.”
The authors suggest investing in infrastructure in high-risk communities to help mitigate the effects of climate change. Initiatives like increasing tree canopy coverage and developing heat mitigation action plans to ensure vulnerable populations have ways to cool down during extreme heat can help reduce the number of cardiovascular deaths related to high temperatures.
Extreme Heat Predicted to Lead to Surge in Cardiovascular Deaths in United States
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