Recent research published in Circulation suggests that a combination of extreme heat and air pollution may significantly increase the risk of fatal heart attacks, particularly among older individuals. The study, conducted in China, analyzed over 202,000 heart attack deaths between 2015 and 2020. The findings indicated that days with extreme temperatures, extreme cold, or high levels of fine particle air pollution were strongly associated with an increased risk of fatal heart attacks.
The study’s senior author, Yuewei Liu, an associate professor of epidemiology at Sun Yat-sen University, emphasized the growing concern over the adverse health effects of extreme temperature events. The researchers discovered that during a two-day heat wave, the risk of a fatal heart attack rose by 18 percent when temperatures ranged from 28 C to 37 C. In a four-day heat wave, where temperatures ranged from 35 C to 43 C, the risk escalated to 74 percent. The deaths primarily affected older adults, with an average age of 77.6 years, 52 percent of whom were over the age of 80, and 52 percent were male.
The researchers estimated that up to 2.8 percent of heart attack deaths could be attributed to the combination of extreme temperatures and high levels of fine particulate matter pollution. Liu highlighted the presence of fine particulate matter in the air as another significant environmental concern, stating that it may interact with extreme temperatures to negatively impact cardiovascular health. The risk of a fatal heart attack was found to be twice as high during four-day heat waves when the fine particulate pollution (PM 2.5) levels exceeded 37.5 micrograms per cubic meter, surpassing the World Health Organization’s recommended level of 15 micrograms per cubic meter.
Dr. Justin Ezekowitz, a cardiologist and professor at the University of Alberta, emphasized the unique aspect of the study in pairing weather with pollution to study heart health. He stated that extreme temperatures have historically been shown to increase the risk of cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, when combined with PM 2.5 particles, such as those found in wildfires, their effects on blood vessels and the heart may be amplified. The researchers noted that it remains unclear how co-exposure to extreme temperatures and fine particulate pollution specifically triggers a greater risk of death from heart attacks.
The study comes at a time when numerous countries are experiencing record-breaking heat waves. The World Meteorological Organization has warned that extreme weather mixed with pollution may become the new normal. Dr. Ezekowitz believes that the impact on heart health may be even greater when considering non-fatal heart attacks in addition to fatal ones. Despite the risks, there are preventive measures individuals can take, such as avoiding outdoor activities during the hottest parts of the day and in heavily polluted areas. Staying well-hydrated and taking breaks from heat exposure are also advised, particularly for individuals who are more vulnerable to the effects of heat and pollution.
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