Mortality from heart disease, winter effect

[Astronuc]

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

 

[berkeman]

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...

 

[atyy]

https://www.heart.org/en/news/2018/...ng-time-hurt-the-heart-prepare-now-for-spring

 

[Fervent Freyja]

Hypothesis: holiday sudden cardiac death: food alcohol inhibition of SULT1A enzymes as a precipitant

 

[Laroxe]

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.

 

[Ygggdrasil]

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)