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Weatherwatch: hearts at risk during anticyclones Weatherwatch: hearts at risk during anticyclones
(about 1 month later)
Scientists link rise in hospital admissions for heart failure to stable weather and winter fogs or summer heatwaves brought on by prolonged high pressure
Paul Brown
Tue 3 Oct 2017 21.30 BST
Last modified on Mon 27 Nov 2017 15.59 GMT
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It is well known that exposure to heat waves and cold spells can cause serious health problems for older people. And fog and air pollution affect the vulnerable of all ages.It is well known that exposure to heat waves and cold spells can cause serious health problems for older people. And fog and air pollution affect the vulnerable of all ages.
New research shows that stable weather conditions can increase hospital admissions and the number of deaths among older people, particularly during prolonged high pressure.New research shows that stable weather conditions can increase hospital admissions and the number of deaths among older people, particularly during prolonged high pressure.
The scientists say that doctors and hospital admission planners should take weather forecasts into account when treating or making recommendations to patients with heart failure.The scientists say that doctors and hospital admission planners should take weather forecasts into account when treating or making recommendations to patients with heart failure.
More than 100,000 people with heart conditions were monitored over a two-year period, during all weathers. For these people the risk of death or needing hospital treatment for heart failure increased with every 1C drop in temperature, especially in winter.More than 100,000 people with heart conditions were monitored over a two-year period, during all weathers. For these people the risk of death or needing hospital treatment for heart failure increased with every 1C drop in temperature, especially in winter.
If the temperature dropped 10C in a week, a frequent occurrence in northern climes, there was a 7% rise in admissions of these patients.If the temperature dropped 10C in a week, a frequent occurrence in northern climes, there was a 7% rise in admissions of these patients.
But when the pressure was high for a period of seven days the risk of heart failure increased by 4.5% for every extra 10 millibars in atmospheric pressure. This does not mean the high pressure alone was to blame, rather the weather conditions the pressure caused.But when the pressure was high for a period of seven days the risk of heart failure increased by 4.5% for every extra 10 millibars in atmospheric pressure. This does not mean the high pressure alone was to blame, rather the weather conditions the pressure caused.
The longer the high pressure lasted the greater the risk. In high summer, still, dry, weather creates conditions for a heat wave that will be dangerous for some people, especially if combined with air pollution.The longer the high pressure lasted the greater the risk. In high summer, still, dry, weather creates conditions for a heat wave that will be dangerous for some people, especially if combined with air pollution.
But it is the winter systems, often known as blocking highs, that are most deadly. These allow fog to form that over time becomes laden with pollutants. In addition, these are often periods when the temperatures drop steeply, a dangerous combination.But it is the winter systems, often known as blocking highs, that are most deadly. These allow fog to form that over time becomes laden with pollutants. In addition, these are often periods when the temperatures drop steeply, a dangerous combination.
WeatherWeather
WeatherwatchWeatherwatch
MeteorologyMeteorology
Health policyHealth policy
HealthHealth
Heart diseaseHeart disease
HospitalsHospitals
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