Aging Hearts in a Hotter, More Turbulent World: The Impacts of Climate Change on the Cardiovascular Health of Older Adults

Abstract

Purpose of Review Climate change has manifested itself in multiple environmental hazards to human health. Older adults and those living with cardiovascular diseases are particularly susceptible to poor outcomes due to unique social, economic, and physiologic vulnerabilities. This review aims to summarize those vulnerabilities and the resultant impacts of climate-mediated disasters on the heart health of the aging population. Recent Findings Analyses incorporating a wide variety of environmental data sources have identified increases in cardiovascular risk factors, hospitalizations, and mortality from intensified air pollution, wildfires, heat waves, extreme weather events, rising sea levels, and pandemic disease. Older adults, especially those of low socioeconomic status or belonging to ethnic minority groups, bear a disproportionate health burden from these hazards. Summary The worldwide trends responsible for global warming continue to worsen climate change–mediated natural disasters. As such, additional investigation will be necessary to develop personal and policy-level interventions to protect the cardiovascular wellbeing of our aging population.

Influence of phase change materials on thermal comfort, greenhouse gas emissions, and potential indoor air quality issues across different climatic regions: A critical review

“…In addition to the high energy efficiency performance levels of PCM, this novel material could offer public health benefits through the cooling of naturally ventilated buildings, especially in heatwaves events 190 . Such a technique can help reduce heatwaves‐related mortalities and morbidities 191,192 . These benefits are possible because PCMs exhibit several advantages, including their potential to store thermal energy at nearly a steady temperature and high‐density characteristic features that contribute to improving IEQ levels and ensure high energy‐efficiency performance.…”

“…190 Such a technique can help reduce heatwaves-related mortalities and morbidities. 191,192 These benefits are possible because PCMs exhibit several advantages, including their potential to store thermal energy at nearly a steady temperature and high-density characteristic features that contribute to improving IEQ levels and ensure high energy-efficiency performance. However, several challenges limit the full performance efficiency of PCM.…”

Longitudinal Associations Between Disaster Damage and Falls/Fear of Falling in Older Adults: 9-Year Follow-Up of Survivors of the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami

“…With age-related mobility limitations and decreased social resources, some of them may also be less able to take self-protective measures ( Hattori et al, 2021 ). A considerable proportion of older adults have chronic conditions that, if left untreated or without a prescription after a disaster, could deteriorate and become life threatening ( Chang et al, 2022 ). Additionally, numerous disaster-related stressors have been proven to be linked with disorders of metabolic functions, organ aging, parasecretion, as well as the disruption of healthy lifestyle behaviors ( Fukuda et al, 1999 ; Kivimaki et al, 2022 ; Razzoli et al, 2018 ).…”

Acute and chronic impacts of heat stress on planetary health

“…The elderly and people with chronic cardiovascular diseases are particularly at risk during heat waves. [83][84][85] Heat waves contribute to an increase in acute heart diseases such as heart failure decompensation and myocardial infarction, leading to increased emergency department visits. [86][87][88] The association between extreme heat with greater risk of adverse cardiovascular events is supported by many studies.…”