Heart Health Meets Climate Change: What's the Connection?

Ever wonder how climate change could possibly affect your heart? It turns out, as temperatures worldwide continue to rise, so does the concern for our heart health. Let’s dive into the not-so-obvious link between our warming planet and the health of our hearts, with a straightforward look at the facts.

When the Heat Goes Up, So Does Heart Stress

Think of those really hot days when it feels like you’re melting. Now, imagine your heart trying to keep you cool during that time. Research in the journal Circulation points out that during these heat waves, there’s a spike in people heading to the hospital for heart issues (Basu et al., 2012). Your heart works overtime in extreme heat, which can be risky, especially if you already have heart problems.

Air Quality: The Invisible Heartbreaker

As climate change fans the flames of wildfires and leads to more pollution, the air we breathe gets a lot dirtier. This isn’t just bad news for your lungs; it’s a concern for your heart too. Studies, like one from the Journal of the American Heart Association, show that air pollution is linked to a higher chance of heart attacks and strokes (Rajagopalan & Brook, 2012). Tiny particles from smoke and pollution can get into your bloodstream and start causing trouble, leading to inflammation and stress on your heart.

Extreme Weather: More Than Just a Bad Storm

Wild weather, like floods and hurricanes, might seem like an indirect link to heart health, but the stress, anxiety, and disruption they cause can have a real impact, especially for those already living with heart conditions. Plus, these events can make it hard to get the medical care or medications needed, putting heart health at even more risk.

So, What Can We Do?

Caring for the earth and caring for our hearts go hand in hand. By tackling climate change, we’re not just helping the planet—we’re helping our hearts too. 

In line with making heart-healthy choices, you might also want to consider wearing our eco-friendly compression socks. Not only do they support circulation and may reduce the risk of heart-related issues, but they're also crafted with sustainability in mind, helping you to take a step in the right direction for both your heart health and the planet.

References:

• Basu, R., Feng, W. Y., & Ostro, B. D. (2012). Characterizing temperature and mortality in nine California counties. Circulation, 125(10), 1312-1323. doi:10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.111.081369

Rajagopalan, S., & Brook, R. D. (2012). Air pollution and cardiovascular disease: JACC state-of-the-art review. Journal of the American Heart Association, 6(12), e006557. doi:10.1161/JAHA.117.006557