Hourly Heat Exposure linked to Increased Risk of Acute Ischemic Stroke: JAMA

Key Findings:

• The comprehensive analysis included data from 82,455 AIS patients, revealing a mean age of 65.8 years, with 63.4% being male.
• They identified a consistent and escalating risk of AIS onset correlated with higher temperatures.
• Notably, the excess risk of AIS emerged immediately at lag 0 hours, persisting for 10 hours following the temperature exposure.
• The study compared the cumulative odds ratio over lag 0 to 10 hours for AIS onset, revealing a significant association.
• Extremely high temperatures (33.3 °C) were linked to a 1.88-fold increase in the odds of AIS compared to the reference temperature (12.1 °C).
• The exposure-response curve demonstrated regional disparities, with the northern regions exhibiting a steeper curve compared to the southern regions.
• While there were indications of greater odds ratios for males and patients with a history of dyslipidemia or atrial fibrillation, these differences did not achieve statistical significance.

The study's findings hold profound implications for public health strategies, particularly in the context of global warming. Understanding the immediate hourly dynamics of heat exposure and its correlation with AIS onset provides a valuable framework for targeted interventions. The research underscores the importance of adapting public health initiatives to address the specific challenges posed by rising temperatures, ensuring a proactive approach to mitigating the increased risk of AIS associated with ambient heat. As further studies delve into this critical area, these findings pave the way for informed strategies to protect individuals from the cerebrovascular risks linked to elevated temperatures.

Further reading: Zhu X, Chen R, Yuan J, et al. Hourly Heat Exposure and Acute Ischemic Stroke. JAMA Netw Open. 2024;7(2):e240627. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.0627