Mortality from heart disease, winter effect

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SUMMARY

Mortality from heart disease exhibits a significant spike during the winter months, particularly around the Winter Solstice and Christmas, with January identified as the worst month. Factors contributing to this increase include cold weather, which elevates heart workload and blood pressure, as well as dietary changes and respiratory infections. A scientific review published in Nature Reviews Cardiology highlights that cardiovascular disease (CVD) seasonality is influenced by environmental factors and individual susceptibility, with winter event rates being 10-20% higher than summer. Interventions targeting high-risk individuals may mitigate these seasonal effects.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and its seasonal variations
  • Familiarity with environmental impacts on health, particularly temperature and air quality
  • Knowledge of dietary influences on heart health, including the effects of obesity and alcohol
  • Awareness of respiratory infections and their relationship with cardiovascular events
NEXT STEPS
  • Research "Seasonal variations in cardiovascular disease" in the journal Nature Reviews Cardiology
  • Explore "SULT1A enzymes" and their role in cardiac health
  • Investigate "holiday heart syndrome" and its implications for heart disease
  • Study the impact of "air pollution on cardiovascular health" during winter months
USEFUL FOR

Healthcare professionals, cardiologists, public health researchers, and individuals interested in understanding the seasonal impacts on heart disease and preventive measures for high-risk populations.

Astronuc
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I came across one article, and I've been looking for similar articles for other nations or groups, e.g., EU. Mortality from heart disease apparently spikes around Winter Solstice and Christmas (end of the calendar year), as well as other causes, which may be related, e.g., obesity and diabetes.

https://www.healthquest.org/hq/huds...dium=boost&utm_content=holiday_heart_syndrome

EU - https://www.euro.who.int/en/health-...s/cardiovascular-diseases/data-and-statistics
 
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I remember seeing that pattern in a thread recently on PF, I think about Covid but I'm not sure. I'll try to do a search...
 
Apparently the worst month is january, the worst time being 6am till 12 noon, the usual explanation is that cold weather increases the hearts work rate, increases blood pressure and may predispose people to blood clots. There are other possible factors, certainly respiratory virus infections can increase risk and air pollution has a seasonal impact. Low vitamin D and changes in diet, increasing blood fats could also be factors.
 
Here's a scientific review paper on the subject published in the journal Nature Reviews Cardiology:

Seasonal variations in cardiovascular disease
https://www.nature.com/articles/nrcardio.2017.76

Key Points
  • Seasonal variations across a broad range of populations and climates (but predominantly derived from the temperate climates of Europe) have been documented in all types of cardiovascular disease (CVD)
  • Most studies report 'winter peaks' in CVD-related hospitalizations and mortality; event rates in winter are typically 10–20% greater than during 'summer troughs'
  • CVD seasonality is probably caused by a complex interaction between the susceptibility of individuals and a range of environmental factors (including ambient temperature)
  • CVD seasonality is most pronounced in individuals living in milder climates, who are least prepared for extreme weather variations
  • A lag effect, potentially modulated by air pollution levels and concurrent influenza, has been documented after 'cold snaps'
  • Potential exists to attenuate seasonality in CVD via multifaceted interventions that modulate exposure to various provocations to the cardiovascular system in high-risk individuals (those with established CVD)
 
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