regions around the world, according to a new study. Researchers found over three decades that non-optimal temperatures, those above or below temperatures associated with the lowest death rates, were increasingly linked to death and disability due to stroke. The study does not prove that climate change causes stroke. It only shows an association. The study also did not examine other risk factors such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels.
A changing climate may be linked to growing death and disability from stroke in regions around the world, according to a new study. Researchers found over three decades that non-optimal temperatures, those above or below temperatures associated with the lowest death rates, were increasingly linked to death and disability due to stroke. The study does not prove that climate change causes stroke. It only shows an association. The study also did not examine other risk factors such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels.Regions across the globe have been found to have a connection between non-optimal temperatures and increased risk of death and disability from stroke, as per a study published in the online issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology on April 10, 2024. Over a period of 30 years, researchers observed that temperatures outside the range associated with the lowest death rates were linked to a higher incidence of stroke-related mortality and disability. It is important to note that while the study shows an association between non-optimal temperatures and stroke, it does not definitively prove that climate change is the cause. Furthermore, the study did not take into account other risk factors such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels.The majority of strokes were caused by temperatures that were too low, but they also found an increase in strokes related to temperatures that were too high. When it’s cold, a person’s blood vessels can narrow, leading to increased blood pressure, which is a risk factor for stroke. On the other hand, higher temperatures can lead to dehydration, affecting cholesterol levels and slowing down blood flow, which can also contribute to stroke. Study author Quan Cheng, PhD, of Xiangya Hospital Central South University in Changsha, noted that dramatic temperature changes in recent years have had a significant impact on human health and have raised widespread concern.China. “Our research has shown that the fluctuations in temperatures could potentially lead to a higher impact of stroke globally, particularly in older populations and areas with greater health care disparities.
The study involved an analysis of over 30 years of health records from more than 200 countries and territories, focusing on the number of stroke deaths and the burden of stroke-related disability caused by suboptimal temperatures.
The researchers then categorized the data by different regions, countries, and territories, as well as by age groups and genders.
In 2019, there were 521,031 stroke deaths associated with suboptimal temperatures, as well as 9.41 million disability-adjusted life years are attributed to stroke related to non-optimal temperatures. This refers to the years of life lost due to premature death and years lived with illness. When comparing low temperatures to high temperatures, 474,002 of the total deaths were associated with low temperatures. Researchers discovered that the rate of stroke-related deaths from temperature changes among male participants was 7.7 per 100,000, while for female participants it was 5.9 per 100,000. In terms of regions, central Asia had the highest death rate for stroke.The death rate from stroke associated with non-optimal temperatures is 18 per 100,000. On a national level, North Macedonia had the highest death rate at 33 per 100,000.
“We need more research to understand how temperature change affects stroke and to develop solutions to address health disparities,” Cheng said. “Future research should focus on reducing this risk by implementing effective health policies that target potential causes of climate change, such as the burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial processes.”
The study received support from the Hunan Youth Science and Technology Talent Project.
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