New Study Details Impacts of Climate Change on Heat-Related Deaths

Posted: November 1, 2023 9:00 am

A new study published on Monday in the journal Circulation is predicting that heat-related heart deaths are going to increase in the U.S., pointing to yet another negative impact brought about by climate change. Read on for more details about this study and what it revealed.

Increase in Average Heat Indexes Translates to Increase in Heat-Related Deaths

Medical professionals have always known that extreme heat is not good for the heart. However, a new study is demonstrating how the increase in extreme heat events will likely translate to more fatalities over the next few decades. While nobody is immune to the health impacts of heat, the elderly, Black adults, and people living in urban areas are most susceptible to the heat-related heart deaths.

There is no doubt that the planet is warming up. Between the years 2008 and 2019, the heat index reached a level of at least 90 degrees over an average of 54 days each summer. The heat index is a measure defined by both the air temperature and humidity levels to provide a true indicator of just how hot it feels outside. Those previous days of extreme heat index levels were linked to almost 1,700 cardiovascular deaths every year during the time period under review.

The study’s researchers found that the number of extreme heat index levels each summer could jump to 80 days every summer, leading to about 5,500 excess cardiovascular deaths each year. This figure would more than triple the previous fatality rates linked to extreme heat.

The data also showed that the fatality rates would settle at a 2.6 times increase by the middle of the century if climate change mitigation steps were instituted. Although any reduction is meaningful when it comes to human life, the increase paints a dire picture of what lies ahead.

Hospitals Overwhelmed When Temperatures Soar

Heart disease is the number one cause of death in the U.S. According to the National Institutes of Health’s National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, extreme heat is only responsible for about 1 in 500 cardiovascular deaths. However, as extreme heat becomes more common thanks to climate change, this share is likely to increase.

It is not unusual for a heat wave to result in a significant uptick in emergency room visits, particularly among vulnerable populations. It does not take much of an uptick to quickly overwhelm hospitals and cripple healthcare provider networks.

For instance, the summer of 2023 saw hospitals become overwhelmed in Maricopa County, Arizona at the hands of extreme heat. Officials released a report last week detailing the confirmation of 469 fatalities as a result of heat-related illness. Over 150 deaths are still under investigation. This makes 2023 the deadliest year for heat-related fatalities since the county began officially tracking the data in 2006.

Temperatures in the Phoenix area climbed to record-breaking levels this summer. The Valley of the Sun saw 31 straight days of readings at 110 degrees or greater stretching from late June and into July.

About the Study

The researchers involved in this study used data projecting population growth and combined it with trends in greenhouse gas emissions to arrive at their conclusions. The data analysis provided projections for the years between 2036 and 2065 for the 48 contiguous U.S. states.

An analysis by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) detailed that heat-related deaths have soared across the U.S. in recent years. For example, 2022 saw over 1,700 deaths attributed to heat-related causes. This number was more than double over the previous five years. Experts also warn that this number is likely much higher as it is difficult to document and prove that extreme heat is the reason for a death.

Understanding How the Heart Responds to Heat

The heart is especially vulnerable to extreme heat. The body as a whole is only able to function within a small range of temperatures. The heart, in particular, has to work harder to perform basic functions when the temperature rises. For instance, the heart beats faster to move the heat away from crucial organs as a protective measure. Individuals with pre-existing medical conditions often find that their heat is not able to effectively keep up with the increased demands triggered by the heat.

These impacts are amplified during lengthy exposures to extreme heat. Some of the most common complications include blood clotting and increased levels of inflammation. These conditions naturally increase the risk of heart attack and stroke.

The study in Circulation also dove into the specific impacts that extreme heat has on Black adults. The authors predict that heat-related cardiovascular deaths could jump six-fold among this population across the country. This compares to an estimated increase of 2.4 times across White adults.

Adults age 65 and older and people living in urban areas will also likely be disproportionately affected by the extreme heat. Similar to other public health concerns, Black people and the elderly are more severely impacted when compared to other populations.

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