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Lower temperatures increase incidence of acute MI

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Po-Jui Wu

Adults appear to be more likely to have an MI during cold weather, according to data presented at the Asian Pacific Society of Cardiology Congress.

“When the temperature drops, people at high risk of a heart attack should be put on alert for symptoms such as chest pain and shortness of breath,” Po-Jui Wu, cardiologist at Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital in Kaohsiung City, Taiwan, said in a press release. “At-risk groups include people who had a previous heart attack, the elderly or those with risk factors such as diabetes, high blood pressure, smoking, obesity and sedentary lifestyles. Heart attacks can cause people to die suddenly, so it is essential to urgently seek medical assistance when symptoms occur.”

Researchers analyzed data from 40,524 patients who lived in Taiwan and had an acute MI between 2008 and 2011. The study also included 919,203 patients from Taiwan who did not have an acute MI. Both epidemiological information and daily weather data were assessed.

Patients who had an acute MI were more likely to be men (OR = 2.475; P < .0001), older (OR = 1.046 per year; P < .0001) and have HF (OR = 1.07; P = .0013) or diabetes (OR = 1.484; P < .0001).

A higher incidence of acute MI was seen the day after weather forecasts with lower temperatures (–0.0012; P = .0004), stronger gusts (–0.0006; P = .093) and wider temperature differences (0.0015; P = .094).

There was a negative relation between the incidence of acute MI and the temperature (–0.0001; P = .0003). A positive relation was seen between the incidence of acute MI and temperature difference (0.0014; P = .0908) in addition to HF (0.0004; P = .0006) when weather changes and disease factors were considered.

“We found that the number of heart attacks (acute myocardial infarctions) fluctuated with the seasons, with more attacks occurring in winter compared to summer,” Wu said in the press release. “Heart attacks increased dramatically when the temperature dropped below 15°C.” – by Darlene Dobkowski

Reference:

Wu P, et al. Abstract P104. Presented at: Asian Pacific Society of Cardiology Congress; May 17-21, 2018; Taipei, Taiwan.

Disclosure: Cardiology Today could not confirm relevant financial disclosures at the time of publication.