A new study by researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) has found that climate change-related environmental stressors are strongly linked to increased cardiovascular disease mortality and incidence. The systematic review of 492 observational studies, published in JAMA Cardiology, revealed that older adults, racial and ethnic minorities, and lower-income communities are disproportionately affected.
“Climate change is already affecting our cardiovascular health,” said corresponding author Dhruv S. Kazi, associate director of the Richard A. and Susan F. Smith Center for Outcomes Research at BIDMC. The study found that extreme temperatures and hurricanes are particularly detrimental to heart health.
However, the investigators noted concerning gaps in knowledge regarding climate change’s impact on cardiovascular risk in lower-income nations, with only one study conducted in a low-income country and five based in Africa. “Though data on outcomes on low-income countries are lacking, our study shows that several of the environmental stressors that are already increasing in frequency and intensity with climate change are linked with increased cardiovascular risk,” said senior author Mary B. Rice, MD, MPH, a pulmonary and critical care physician at BIDMC.
The authors emphasize the urgent need for action to mitigate climate change-related cardiovascular risk, especially among the most vulnerable populations. They suggest that clinicians consider evaluating each patient’s risk based on individual, community, and health system attributes, and assist in developing contingency plans to ensure uninterrupted access to medications and healthcare in areas prone to extreme weather events.
“Climate Change-related Disturbances Linked to Worse Cardiovascular Health, Researchers Show” (June 12, 2024)
