Effects of climate change on cardiovascular health: a focus on temperature extremes
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Abstract
Introduction: Ambient temperature impacts cardiovascular health through multifaceted biological mechanisms, causing imbalances in thermal homeostasis, which impair the cardiovascular system. Temperature extremes lead to vascular changes, autonomic nervous system responses, arrhythmias, inflammation, and oxidative stress.
Objective: Analyze the existing scientific literature in order to synthesize the main information about the influence of climate change on cardiovascular events.
Method: Searches were conducted in the PubMed, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, and Scielo databases. The descriptors used were: “cardiovascular diseases, climate change, and body temperature regulation”. The inclusion criteria comprised review articles published from 2005 onwards, in Portuguese and English. A total of 24 articles were selected.
Result: Cold causes vasoconstriction, tachycardia, and increased blood pressure, resulting in myocardial ischemia, especially in patients with coronary plaques. Cold exposure increases angiotensin-II, leading to vasoconstriction and hypertension. This mechanism overloads the myocardium and increases oxygen demand. Heat induces vasodilation and sweating, which increases cardiovascular demand due to elevated heart rate. Resulting dehydration alters hemoconcentration and electrolyte balance, triggering acute cardiovascular events.
Conclusion: Extreme cold and heat generate thermal stress, which induces systemic inflammation, contributing to the progression of cardiovascular diseases. Understanding the biological mechanisms that mediate the adverse effects of cold and heat on the cardiovascular system is essential for developing effective intervention strategies
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