As the planet heats up, so does the strain on our hearts. While climate change is often discussed in terms of environmental devastation, it’s increasingly becoming a public health emergency—especially for cardiovascular health.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over 166,000 heat-related deaths occurred between 1998 and 2017, many of which were linked to heart disease and stroke. Recent data shows that heatwaves are now 20 times more likely than they were a century ago, with 2023 recording the hottest global temperatures in history.
A large-scale study published in Circulation (2023) found a 12% increase in heart attack admissions during extreme heat events, particularly among the elderly and those with pre-existing conditions like hypertension or diabetes. In Europe, the 2022 summer heatwave was associated with over 60,000 excess deaths, most related to cardiovascular and respiratory causes.
Mechanistically, extreme heat leads to dehydration, increased blood viscosity, and heightened sympathetic nervous system activity, all of which can precipitate acute coronary syndromes.
In low- and middle-income countries like India and parts of Africa, where access to cooling infrastructure and healthcare is limited, the cardiovascular toll of climate change is expected to rise steeply.
The message is clear: heat is not just uncomfortable—it’s deadly. As climate patterns grow more erratic, public health systems must adapt, and cardiovascular risk management needs to consider temperature as a new vital sign.
Sources:
-WHO: Climate and Health Fact Sheet (2023)
-Circulation: Heat and Myocardial Infarction (2023)
-Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change (2024)