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Cold Weather More Deadly Than Heat for Hearts
31 Mar
Summary
- Cold weather linked to significantly more heart deaths than heat.
- 80% of heart deaths occur below 74 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Cold increases blood pressure and heart oxygen demands.
Seniors and individuals with heart conditions should exercise increased caution during cold weather, as a new study reveals it poses a greater risk than heat waves. Researchers found that most temperature-related cardiovascular deaths are linked to cold, not heat.
The study analyzed over 14 million heart-related deaths in the U.S. between 2000 and 2020. It linked about 800,000 deaths to cold weather exposures over two decades, substantially more than the 40,000 attributed to warm weather.
Optimal heart health appears to be around 74 degrees Fahrenheit. Temperatures below this threshold accounted for roughly 40,000 heart-related deaths annually, while temperatures above it were linked to about 2,000 deaths.
Cold temperatures can elevate blood pressure and increase the heart's oxygen demand. This physiological response can heighten the risk of heart attacks or strokes, particularly for vulnerable populations due to factors like blood clots or narrowed arteries.
