Heat extremes and cardiovascular diseases: a scientific statement of the Association of Cardiovascular Nursing & Allied Professions, Association for Acute Cardiovascular Care, European Association of Preventive Cardiology, Heart Failure Association, European Heart Rhythm Association of the ESC, the ESC Council on Hypertension, the ESC Council on Stroke, and the ESC Working Group on Cardiovascular Pharmacotherapy.

Abstract

Globally, hot weather and heatwaves are claiming lives and are predicted to become increasingly deadly under all future climate change scenarios. Rising global temperatures pose a significant risk on cardiovascular health, disproportionately impacting the elderly and people with cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, despite convincing epidemiological data demonstrating this increased cardiovascular risk, the physiological mechanisms that underpin this risk are less known. Exposure to elevated temperatures leads to increased inflammation, myocardial oxygen demand and dehydration, predisposing people to myocardial stress. Additionally, health and social inequities like low income, poor housing and limited access to cooling further exacerbate the health risks during heatwaves. This scientific statement provides a comprehensive discussion on the epidemiological evidence of heat-related CVD, the human physiological responses to hot environments, the impact of heat on cardiovascular health, and the relative impact of social inequalities. Finally, an agenda is provided that calls for research to understand and reduce the health risks associated with heatwaves for people with CVD.