In the ever-changing climate, extreme heat waves become more frequent and persistent, with serious consequences, most importantly the impact on human health and well-being. A new study adds a body of knowledge about the effects of climate change, suggesting that extreme high temperatures can be particularly dangerous for heart failure patients.
This new study published in the journal ESC Heart Failure of the European Society of Cardiology says that the increasingly widespread heat wave brought about by global warming may lead to "an increase in mortality in the general population, especially cardiovascular mortality." "
Specifically, the observational study identified the relationship between heat wave-induced temperature rise and weight changes, which is particularly dangerous for patients with heart failure and worsen their condition.
researchers wrote: "This suggests that global warming has a direct impact on human health, and acute exacerbations are expected to occur more frequently, threatening patients with chronic diseases, especially those with more vulnerable conditions." As climate change becomes more severe worldwide, the consequences of the study and its findings are carefully studied here.
The link between heat waves and weight loss
The study was conducted in France in 2019, a year when Europe experienced extreme heat waves. Between June and September of that year — including the time frame of two extreme high temperature events — the researchers used a remote monitoring system to track how high temperatures affect the weight of people with a history of heart failure.
study explains that weight is the cornerstone of monitoring health in patients with heart failure, because weight gain is associated with congestion, which is the main cause of hospitalization. The authors of the study hypothesized that people with heart failure may experience weight changes during heat waves.
The study included 1,420 A person with a history of heart failure—70% of whom were male. The average age of participants was 73 years old. In addition to using remote monitoring to track their weight, study participants were asked to report other symptoms they experienced, such as fatigue, swelling, or difficulty breathing.
Finally, data collection showed that as outdoor temperatures in France increased, patients lost significantly and their condition worsened. The study said that some patients weighed 78 kg lost 1.5 kg in a short time.
“The weight loss we observed during heat waves is clinically related,” study author François Rubire, professor at the University Hospital of Montpellier, France, said in a press release.
“This study demonstrates for the first time that there is a strict relationship between ambient temperature and weight in patients with heart failure,” Roubille Added. “Given the heat wave again this year, this discovery is timely. "
Consequences of high temperature conditions
Monitoring of weight is a key element of the study, as any sudden change in weight may be associated with patients with heart failure. As Rubier explained in a press release, weight loss observed in study participants with heart failure has the potential to trigger other serious health consequences, including " hypotension , especially when standing, as well as renal failure and potentially life-threatening." "
Although extreme high temperature conditions cause everyone to lose more water than usual - mainly increased sweating - this is especially problematic for heart failure patients. This is because heart failure patients often take diuretics, which helps them to excrete excess fluid from their bodies through normal daily urination. However, if these patients' bodies lose more water during heat waves than normal, diuretics may cause them to over-dehydrate.
Roubille explains that when healthy people drink more fluids in hot weather, the body can automatically regulate urination. Roubille said that this is not the case for heart failure patients because they take diuretics.
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Roubille said that the body can automatically regulate urination when healthy people drink more fluids in hot weather. Roubille said this is not the case for heart failure patients because they take diuretics.
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Roubille It is recommended in the study that as temperatures rise for the foreseeable future, clinicians and patients should be prepared to reduce the dose of diuretics in patients with heart failure when weight loss is lost.
U Washington School of Medicine Heart failure expert and professor of medicine Kevin O'Brien, MD, told Health that many cardiologists have adjusted their patients' diuretic doses based on weight changes. However, the study may suggest that this will be a particularly beneficial strategy during heat waves.
In addition, the authors write that remote monitoring systems can also help monitor patients and indicate when a person’s diuretic dose needs to be changed according to routine weight monitoring.
"These results suggest a new approach to implementing remote weight monitoring in [heart failure], such as paving the way for semi-automatic adjustment of diuretic doses," the authors wrote.
Heart failure Those who may also benefit from the same strategies to keep anyone healthy during heat waves, such as staying in a cool indoor place.
Where people don't have air conditioning in their homes, choices may include going to public buildings or museums with air conditioning, and visiting swimming pools or parks that may be cooler than indoors. However, Dr. O'Brien warned that these strategies may not be suitable for everyone.
He said these things “do not necessarily help those who seem to be at the greatest risk in this study, i.e. older patients.” These patients may have poor health and are unable to access places such as swimming pools and museums.
If your health condition puts you at risk of heart failure, such as diabetes , obesity or hypertension , lifestyle options such as healthy eating, exercise and maintaining a healthy weight can prevent you from suffering from heart failure, adds O'Brien. .
Ultimately, Dr. O'Brien said the study authors have identified an important challenge in treating heart failure during heat waves and have proposed an innovative approach to address this problem.
"This is a very important identification challenge," said Dr. O'Brien. He added that as the frequency and severity of heat waves increase, “it only gets worse.”
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