Climate change could cause around 500,000 stroke deaths annually

A study published in the journal Neurologyfrom the American Academy of Neurology, found that climate changes may be associated with the increased mortality and disability from stroke (Stroke). In 2019, there were 521,031 stroke deaths associated with non-ideal temperatures, according to the research.

The study does not prove that climate change causes stroke, it only shows an association. The researchers found that the non-ideal temperatures (above or below temperatures considered “ideal” to maintain a low mortality rate) were increasingly associated with fatal stroke or disabling .

According to research, most strokes occurred due to suboptimal temperatures, but there were also cases in which the stroke was associated with high temperatures.

In colder temperatures, a person's blood vessels can constrict, increasing blood pressure. High blood pressure is a risk factor for stroke. Higher temperatures can cause dehydration, affecting cholesterol levels and resulting in slower blood flow, factors that can also lead to stroke.

“Dramatic temperature changes in recent years have affected human health and caused widespread concern,” says study author Quan Cheng of Xiangya Hospital Central South University in Changsha, China, in a press release. “Our study found that these temperature changes can increase the burden of stroke worldwide, especially in older populations and in areas with greater health care disparities.”

To arrive at the data, the researchers analyzed 30 years of health records from over 200 countries and territories . The number of stroke deaths and the burden of stroke-related disability due to non-optimal temperatures were examined. Then, the data was divided for analysis by each region, country and territory. The researchers also analyzed age groups and genders.

In addition to the more than 500,000 stroke deaths associated with climate change, the study also found that there were 9.4 million disability-adjusted life years due to stroke associated with non-ideal temperatures. “Disability-adjusted life years” represent the years of life lost due to premature death and years lived with illness.

Most deaths are related to low temperatures

According to the study, 474,002 stroke deaths, of the total analyzed in 2019, were related to low temperatures . Additionally, researchers found that the rate of death from the disease due to temperature changes was higher for male participants (7.7 per 100,000) compared to female participants (5.9 per 100,000). ).

When looking across regions, Central Asia had the highest stroke death rate associated with non-ideal temperatures, at 18 per 100,000 population. When analyzing the data by country, North Macedonia had the highest death rate at 33 per 100,000.

“More research is needed to determine the impact of temperature change on stroke and find solutions to address health inequities,” says Cheng. “Future research should aim to reduce this threat by finding effective health policies that address potential causes of climate change, such as the burning of fossil fuels, deforestation and industrial processes.”