Climate Extremes Linked to Increased Heart Disease Risk, Study Finds
A study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine has found that extreme weather conditions, such as heatwaves, cold snaps, and heavy rain, can increase the risk of heart disease. The research analyzed data from 157 Chinese cities between 2015 and 2020, revealing that for every day with temperatures above 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit, the risk of heart disease increased by about 3%. Cold days with temperatures at or below 14 degrees Fahrenheit saw a slight risk increase, while days with more than two inches of rain increased the risk by nearly 2%. The study suggests that repeated exposure to extreme weather can elevate cardiovascular risk at the population level.