Study Suggests Humidity Linked To Heart Attacks In The Elderly

Researchers in Greece who studied deaths in Athens in 2001 found that humidity was a major factor in fatal heart attacks in people over the age of 70.

The study, published in the journal Heart, is said to be the first to suggest a link between heart attacks and humidity.

“It was linearly associated with heart attack deaths,” said Dr Georgios Giannopoulos, of the University of Athens. “It means that higher humidity values were related to higher death rates.”

Researchers compared temperature, humidity and pressure levels against 3,126 heart attack deaths in the Greek capital five years ago and found that the average daily temperatures the previous week were also a factor in the deaths of elderly people.

The study suggests that being exposed to high humidity levels over a period of time could raise the risk of heart attack.

“We know that increased humidity, especially combined with temperature, increases physiological stress on the body especially the circulatory system,” Giannopoulos said.

There are a number of other factors that can raise your risk of heart attack, including smoking, obesity, diabetes and family history.

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courtesy of Toronto Public Health

• Drink lots of water and natural juices even if you don’t feel very thirsty. Avoid drinking alcoholic beverages, coffee and cola.
• Avoid going out in the blazing sun or heat when possible. If you must go outside, stay in the shade as much as possible and plan to go out early in the morning or evening when it is cooler and smog levels may not be as high as in the afternoon. Wear a hat.
• Take advantage of air conditioned or cool places such as shopping malls, libraries, community centres or a friend’s place to cool down.
• If you don’t have air conditioning, keep shades or drapes drawn and blinds closed on the sunny side of your home, but keep windows slightly open.
• Keep lights off or turned down low.
• Take a cool bath or shower periodically or cool down with cool, wet towels.
• Wear loose fitting, light clothing.
• Avoid heavy meals and using your oven.
• Avoid intense or moderately intense physical activity.
• Never leave a child in a parked car or sleeping outside in direct sunlight.
• Don’t rely on fans to provide enough cooling when the temperature is high.
• Consult your doctor or pharmacist regarding side effects of your medications.

The Symptoms Of Heat-Related Illness:

• Rapid breathing
• Weakness or fainting
• More tiredness than usual
• Headache
• Confusion

What Are The Warning Signals Of Heart Attack?
Courtesy of the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada

Pain

• sudden discomfort or pain that does not go away with rest
• pain that may be in the chest, neck, jaw, shoulder, arms or back
• pain that may feel like burning, squeezing, heaviness, tightness, heaviness or pressure
• in women, pain may be more vague

Shortness of Breath

Nausea

• indigestion 
• vomiting

Sweating

• cool, clammy skin

Fear

• anxiety
• denial

If you experience any of these symptoms you should:

• Call 911 or your local emergency number for help, or have someone call for you. It’s a good idea to keep a list of emergency numbers near the phone at all times. 
• Stop all activity and sit or lie down, in whatever position is most comfortable. 
• If you take nitroglycerin, take your normal dosage. 
• If you are experiencing chest pain , chew and swallow one (1) adult 325 mg ASA tablet (e.g., Aspirin®) or two (2)low dose 80 mg tablets. Do not use pain medicines like acetaminophen (e.g. Tylenolâ ) or ibuprofen (e.g. Advil®). 
• Rest comfortably and wait for emergency medical services (EMS) (e.g., ambulance) to arrive.