A recent study published in the journal Neurology® suggests that a changing climate could be contributing to an increase in death and disability from strokes worldwide. Over a period of 30 years, researchers found that non-optimal temperatures, both higher and lower than those associated with the lowest death rates, were linked to a rise in stroke-related mortality and disability. While the study does not prove a direct causal relationship between climate change and strokes, it does highlight a concerning association. Factors such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels, which are known risk factors for stroke, were not examined in this study.
The majority of stroke cases in the study were attributed to lower temperatures, leading to the constriction of blood vessels and an increase in blood pressure. Conversely, higher temperatures were also found to contribute to strokes by causing dehydration, affecting cholesterol levels, and slowing down blood flow. These findings underscore the importance of considering the impact of temperature changes on human health, particularly in older populations and regions with healthcare disparities. Study author Dr. Quan Cheng emphasized the need for further research to address the growing burden of stroke worldwide and to develop effective health policies to mitigate the impact of climate change.
Examining health records from over 200 countries and territories, researchers found that in 2019 alone, over half a million stroke deaths were linked to non-optimal temperatures. Additionally, there were 9.4 million disability-adjusted life years attributed to stroke-related disability caused by temperature fluctuations. The study also revealed disparities in stroke mortality rates between genders, with a higher death rate among male participants compared to female participants. Furthermore, regions such as central Asia and countries like North Macedonia had notably high death rates from strokes associated with non-optimal temperatures.
Moving forward, the research team highlights the importance of further investigating the role of temperature changes in strokes and developing targeted solutions to address health inequalities. Dr. Cheng stresses the need for additional research to identify effective health policies that can mitigate the impact of climate change on stroke incidence. By addressing potential contributors to climate change such as the burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial processes, there is hope that the threat of strokes linked to temperature fluctuations can be reduced. The study was supported by the Hunan Youth Science and Technology Talent Project, providing a foundation for future research initiatives in this critical area of study.
