A study published in the European Heart Journal on Monday found a disturbing link between hot weather and cardiovascular illness in Australia, underscoring the serious health consequences of excessive temperatures.
Researchers discovered that over 50,000 years of healthy living are lost each year owing to heart disease associated with hot temperatures.
The paper cautions that if current climatic trends continue, the effect of weather-related cardiovascular diseases might increase or perhaps triple over the next 25 years.
The study, which analyzed data from the Australian Burden of Disease Database covering the period from 2003 to 2018, discovered that 7.3% of the total burden of cardiovascular disease may be attributable to severe heat.
Lead author Jingwen Liu of the University of Adelaide claimed that this is the “first study of its kind globally” and emphasized the importance of these findings in designing future climate change adaption efforts.
Professor Peng Bi, a research co-author, detailed the physiological strain produced by extreme temperatures: “When it’s hot outside, our hearts have to work harder to keep us cool.
This increased pressure can be harmful, particularly for persons who have cardiovascular disease.” The researchers emphasize the need for immediate investment in urban cooling technologies, public health campaigns, and improved emergency response to reduce the health hazards associated with excessive heat.
