High temperature fluctuations cause increased heart attacks

Study shows: more heart attacks in case of strong temperature fluctuations

It has been known for some time that the weather can have a huge impact on health. Now a study showed that strong temperature fluctuations lead to a significant increase of heart attacks and unstable angina pectoris.

Cold and heat affect the heart attack risk

According to medical experts, smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol are among the biggest heart attack risk factors. However, it is also known that the weather has an influence on the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Thus, health experts point out that this risk is increased in heat, but also at high minus temperatures. As reported at the European Congress of Cardiology, severe temperature fluctuations seem to affect the likelihood of having a heart attack.

As has been shown in a new study, strong temperature fluctuations lead to more heart attacks. (Image: Kzenon / fotolia.com)

No significant difference between days with or without snowfall

According to a new study, strong temperature fluctuations of more than 17.7 degrees Celsius within 24 hours lead to a significant increase in heart attacks and unstable angina (acute coronary syndrome).

Like Prof. Dr. Dirk von Lewinski and dr. Klemens Ablasser from Graz (Austria) reported at the Congress of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) in Munich, men are most affected.

According to a communication of the German Society of Cardiology - Cardiovascular Research e.V., which was published by the Information Service Science (idw), there was no significant difference between days with or without snow, contrary to the initial assumption of the research team regarding the frequency of acute coronary syndromes.

Even on the days after snowfall, when physical exertion from snow shoveling is most likely, the risk of a heart attack does not increase.

And even below-freezing temperatures do not significantly affect the onset of acute coronary syndromes. Ablasser.

Increased danger could not be confirmed

For their study in Greater Graz, the scientists included 18,075 patients with acute coronary syndromes who were admitted to a cardiac catheterization laboratory for a period of eight years.

According to the information, weather data were evaluated, including hourly records of snowfall, precipitation and temperature. The subjects included in the study were on average 67 years old and 74% men.

In the winter months, snow and cold make life more difficult not only for many, but can be life-threatening for people with cardiovascular disease.

As a trigger for a heart attack, snowfall and low temperatures have been suggested, especially in combination with outdoor exercise, such as snow shovels.

However, in the new study, this could not be confirmed except for large temperature fluctuations. (Ad)