Cardiovascular Mortality — The Hidden Peril of Heat Waves

Abstract

Abbreviations: ACME = automatic classification of medical entities CI = 95% confidence interval ICD-9 = International Classification of Diseases RR = mortality rate ratio SE = standard error

Hot Spot: Impact of July 2011 Heat Wave in Southern Italy (Apulia) on Cardiovascular Disease Assessed by Emergency Medical Service and Telemedicine Support

“…Again, in 1980 hospital admissions in St. Louis, MO, and Kansas City, MO, were found to be increased by 5.1% and 1.5% during a heat wave, and deaths from all causes rose by 57% and 64%, respectively. 40 A 26% increase in total mortality and a 98% increase in cardiovascular mortality were associated with the 1999 heat wave in Philadelphia, PA. 41 Data showed an increase in total mortality in four of the five counties examined and an increase in cardiovascular mortality in all five counties. The risk for death for those dying from cardiovascular disease increased significantly for people older than 64 years, for both sexes, and all races.…”

What is it with the weather and stroke?

“…Many studies have investigated the possibility of a link between ambient temperature and cardiovascular end points, such as blood pressure [31,32] and development of cardiovascular disease [33][34][35][36][37]. As may be expected from the seasonal and extreme weather data above, there is conflict within the data.…”

Assessing climate change and health vulnerability at the local level: Travis County, Texas

“…Persons with pre-existing medical conditions such as cardiovascular diseases are at greater risk for heat-related morbidity or mortality when exposed to excessive heat (Wainwright et al, 1999). This complex interaction that heat imposes on specific chronic conditions likely leads to underestimated reports of hyperthermia mortality.…”

“…According to the National Climatic Data Center, the county experienced seven excessive heat events during 1999-2005(NCDC, 2011. In addition, the county is located in Central Texas's Flash Flood Alley and experienced 44 flood events during 1999-2005(NCDC, 2011. Because climate change affects excessive heat and flooding events, we assess baseline population health, social marginalisation and the community's built environment impediments as they relate to these two natural hazards.…”

“…Travis County has a humid, subtropical climate with hot summers and mild winters. According to the National Climatic Data Center, the county experienced seven excessive heat events during 1999-2005(NCDC, 2011. In addition, the county is located in Central Texas's Flash Flood Alley and experienced 44 flood events during 1999-2005(NCDC, 2011.…”