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Extreme heat set to double heart disease burden in Australia by 2050

IANS March 17, 2025 125 views

A groundbreaking study from the University of Adelaide reveals the profound impact of extreme heat on cardiovascular health in Australia. Researchers found that hot weather currently accounts for 7.3% of the total cardiovascular disease burden, with potential to more than double by 2050. The research highlights the critical connection between rising temperatures and heart health, emphasizing the need for proactive public health strategies. By understanding these risks, communities can develop targeted interventions to protect vulnerable populations from climate-related health challenges.

"When the weather is hot, our hearts have to work harder to help us cool down" - Bi Peng, University of Adelaide
Extreme heat set to double heart disease burden in Australia by 2050
Canberra, March 17: Extreme heat is a major contributor to heart disease in Australia, responsible for 7.3 per cent of the total cardiovascular disease burden, a new study said on Monday.

Key Points

1

Climate change linked to significant rise in heart disease burden

2

Heat impacts cardiovascular health across Australian regions

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Urgent need for adaptation and mitigation strategies

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Study projects dramatic increase by 2050

Between 2003 and 2018, hot weather accounted for nearly 50,000 years of healthy life lost annually, with South Australia experiencing the highest impact and the Northern Territory the lowest, according to the study funded by the Adelaide University China Fee Scholarships and the Australian Research Council Discovery Program.

Under future climate scenarios, the burden of cardiovascular disease is expected to rise steadily. By the 2050s, under a high-emissions scenario, it is projected to more than double compared to the baseline, with the Northern Territory experiencing the most significant increase, said the study published in the European Heart Journal.

"When the weather is hot, our hearts have to work harder to help us cool down. This added pressure can be dangerous, especially for people with cardiovascular disease," said Bi Peng, the research lead from the University of Adelaide Public Health and Environmental Medicine.

"Many of us have experienced how a warming climate can make us feel unwell, particularly during longer periods of extreme heat," Bi said, adding the exact number of people living with severe heart disease or dying prematurely due to rising temperatures remains uncertain. It is crucial to understand how this burden will grow in the future.

Using disability-adjusted life years to measure lost healthy years due to illness or death, the study underscores the urgent need for adaptation and mitigation strategies, including urban cooling initiatives, public health campaigns, and emergency response measures in hot days, Xinhua news agency reported.

While the study focusses on Australia, researchers note that the link between heat and heart disease is a global concern, Bi said, adding investing in climate mitigation and adaptation strategies could significantly reduce the future impact of heat-related cardiovascular disease worldwide.

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