The Relationship between Mortality Caused by Cardiovascular Diseases and two Climatic Factors in Densely Populated Areas in Norway and Ireland

Abstract

Background Seasonal variations in mortality due to cardiovascular disease have been demonstrated in many countries, with the highest levels occurring during the coldest months of the year. It has been suggested that this can be explained by cold climate. In this study, we examined the relationship between mortality and two different climatic factors in two densely populated areas (Dublin, Ireland and Oslol Akershus, Norway).Methods Meteorological data (mean daily air temperatures and wind speed) and registered daily mortality data for three groups of cardiovascular disease for the period 1985-1994 were obtained for the two respective areas. The daily mortality ratio for both men and women of 60 years and older was calculated from the mortality data. The wind chill temperature equivalent was calculated from the Siple and Passels formula. ResultsThe seasonal variations in mortality were greater in Dublin than in Oslo I Akershus, with mortality being highest in winter. This pattern was similar to that previously shown f~r the two respective countries as a whole. There was a negative correlation between mortality and both air temperature and wind chill temperature equivalent for all three groups of diseases. The slopes of the linear regression lines describing the relationship between mortality and air temperature were a lot steeper for the Irish data than for the Norwegian data. However, the difference between the steepness of the linear regression lines for the relationship between mortality and wind chill temperature equivalent was considerably less between the two areas. This can be explained by the fact that Dublin is a much windier area than Oslo I Akershus. ConclusionThe results of this study demonstrate that the inclusion of two climatic factors rather than just one changes the impression of the relationship between climate and cardiovascular disease mortality. J Cardiovasc Risk 7:369-375

Trends of myocardial infarction morbidity and its associations with weather conditions

“…In Finland more than in Norway the death rate from IHD increased with a decrease in temperature of atmospheric air [34]. In the study carried out in Oslo and Dublin the inverse relationship between air temperature and mortality from IHD events rate was determined [34]. Canadian investigators studied high meteorological variations and their influence to the number of heart attacks in Calgary city and surrounding areas.…”

“…A comparison of the numbers of death from IHD in January and April determined that in January the death number from IHD was higher by 22% in Norway and by 35% in Finland. In Finland more than in Norway the death rate from IHD increased with a decrease in temperature of atmospheric air [34]. In the study carried out in Oslo and Dublin the inverse relationship between air temperature and mortality from IHD events rate was determined [34].…”

Influence Features of Cold and Heat Waves to the Population Mortality - The City With Sharply Continental Climate

“…Этот индекс сейчас используется в Канаде (вместо обычной температуры) для предупреждения населения о возможных рисках для здоровья во время сильных холодов [19]. В данной работе использован этот показатель для оценки опасности волн холода, как было ранее предложено [20][21][22].…”

Acute and Prolonged Adverse Effects of Temperature on Mortality from Cardiovascular Diseases

“…The negative association between cardiovascular deaths and ambient temperature was reported [8], [9], however, some other conflicting outcomes were also revealed [10], [11].…”