Short-term exposure to high temperatures increases the risk of having a stroke, especially in women and young adults.
- Short-term exposure to high ambient temperatures increases the risk of stroke in people under 64, according to a new study.
- According to the results, women are more vulnerable to heat peaks than men.
- Young adults also have an increased risk of stroke when temperatures rise.
“Climate change is one of the most important public health challenges of our time”explains Dr. Xiaomei Ma of the Yale School of Public Health. “It is essential to assess the health impact of different aspects of climate change so that we can better adapt and potentially intervene.” And the scientist’s work is indeed cause for concern.
His study, published in Journal of the American College of Cardiologyreveals that short-term exposure to high temperatures significantly increased the risk of stroke in adults under 64, particularly among women.
Stroke: women are more vulnerable to extreme heat
The health problems faced by seniors during heat waves and heat peaks have been the subject of numerous studies. Eager to learn more about knowledge for those under 64, Dr. Xiaomei Ma’s team took over the United States National Illness Claims Database. The researchers examined the medical records of more than a million people aged 18 to 64 and compared them to climate data.
Analyzes showed that high temperatures over a short period of time (from the same day to the previous six) were associated with an increased risk of stroke. Furthermore, women were more vulnerable than men. The link was also particularly strong among young adults.
“Women’s vulnerability is biologically plausible given differences in physiological conditions and stroke risk factors in women and men, such as pregnancy or hormonal changes around menopause”adds Dr Kai Chen, co-senior author of the study, in a press release.
Heat and stroke: targeted prevention strategies are needed
For the two researchers, their work confirms the increased risk of stroke linked to extreme and moderate heat for young populations. For them, it is essential to take it into account in early warning systems and health care management. Furthermore, the increased vulnerability of women to stroke when exposed to high temperatures should lead to the establishment of “targeted stroke prevention and management strategies” among the fairer sex.
However, the team recognizes that “additional research is needed to better understand the contribution of biological and socioeconomic factors to observed sex differences”.
