Heat can multiply your heart attack by six

High moisture, combined with Extreme heatis associated with a six -time risk of a visit to an emergency room by heart problems, According to a study of the University of Tulane (USA), published in ‘Science of the Total Environment‘.

As temperatures rise, the heart pumps faster to transport blood towards the skin and cool the body. This additional cardiovascular system can increase the risk of heart attack or stroke, especially in people with pre -existing heart conditions, researchers warn.

In addition, when combined with a high level of moisture in the air, it can limit the evaporation of sweat, the key cooling mechanism of the body, and force the heart to pump even stronger, they add. However, the researchers found no association between moisture alone and the increase in cardiac emergencies.

The study analyzed more than 340,000 emergency visits due to heart problems in Daca, Bangladesh, a city characterized by intense heat and humidity, between 2014 and 2019, and compared these visits with historical data of temperature and humidity. While heat alone increased the risk of cardiac emergency by 4.4% in days with low moisture, The risk shot at 26.7% on the wettest dayswhen relative humidity exceeded 82%.

“These findings show that we must jointly consider heat and humidity by discussing any climate change policy,” said the first author and professor of Environmental Health Sciences at the School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine Celia Scott Weatherhead of the University of Tulane, Mostafijur Rahman.

Intense heat was defined as temperatures above 29 ° C; Exposure to intense heat alone was associated with an 8% increase in cardiac emergencies. However, moisture significantly increased this risk when levels exceeded 80%. This increase was constant in all age and sex groups.

As temperatures rise throughout the world, Rahman expects these findings to boost solutions in Bangladesh and similar countries, where exposure to high temperatures and humidity can increase the risk of heat -related diseases.

“Hopefully governments are encouraged to develop systems that alert cities about dangerous heat and humidity. For the average citizen, it is important to develop habits to combat heat: stay hydrated, stay at home, wear breathable clothes and consider visiting public places with air conditioning, such as shopping centers or libraries,” concludes the first author of the study.