SINGAPORE, Sept 9 ― The adverse impact of cold spells on heart health in temperate regions of the world has long been known. But, according to a study conducted in Singapore, the risk of having a heart attack due to lower temperatures is also starting to emerge in tropical regions. This consequence of climate change is thought to mainly concern people over 65 years old.

You may not know it, but severe cold can be dangerous for your heart. Scientific literature links drastic temperature drops to an increased risk of heart attack. The reason? The cold causes the arteries to narrow and blood pressure to rise, increasing the risk of heart attack.

And climate change could aggravate this phenomenon, suggests a recent study, carried out by scientists from Duke-NUS Medical School, in collaboration with Singapore’s National Environment Agency. The study authors found that temperature decreases observed in this part of the world may also contribute to increased risk of heart attack.

The researchers particularly emphasise that most studies to date have focused on temperate climates, where temperatures vary considerably, and less so on regions with warm, tropical climates, such as Singapore.

Conducted using data collected across the country between 2009 and 2018, the research reveals that a 1°C drop in room temperature increased the risk of a type of acute myocardial infarction by 12 per cent. According to the study, this risk could be particularly pronounced in people aged 65 and older, who are about 20 per cent more vulnerable to lower temperatures than younger people.

"Climate change is expected to bring about increased climatic fluctuation and extreme weather events. Studies have demonstrated that adverse health outcomes and mortality rates can be exacerbated by increased climate variability,” the scientists explain. "In the context of climate change, these findings highlight a risk factor of substantial public health concern,” said Dr Joel Aik, an environmental epidemiologist and co-senior author of the study. ― ETX Studio