World Environment Day 2024: How heat waves are intensifying heart health risks

Rising temperatures are increasing the risk of heart health contributing to a surge in chances of death from cardiovascular diseases said experts on World Environment Day on WednesdayWorld Environment Day is observed every year on June 5 to raise awareness about climate change and its effects both on the flora and fauna as well as human health The theme this year is ldquoLand restoration desertification and drought resiliencerdquoThe risk of death due to cardiovascular diseases rises with every 1degree Celsius increase in temperature Studies indicate that approximately 489000 heatrelated deaths occurred annually between 2000 and 2019 with 45 per cent of these deaths taking place in AsiaRecent data from the Health Ministry on heatrelated illnesses and deaths in India reported 605 deaths due to different cardiovascular diseases in May this yearThere were at least 80 deaths due to heat strokes including both confirmed and suspected cases in May In addition 56 confirmed deaths occurred due to heat strokes between March and May of which 46 occurred in May aloneldquoThe human body is adept at regulating its internal temperature through mechanisms such as sweating and increased blood flow to the skin However during extreme heat this thermoregulatory system can become overwhelmed As the body struggles to cool itself the heart has to work harder to pump blood which increases strain and elevates blood pressurerdquo Dr RR Dutta HOPD Internal Medicine Paras Health GurugramldquoThis stress can trigger a cascade of adverse events ranging from dizziness and nausea to severe complications including heart attack stroke and even sudden deathrdquo he addedThe expert noted that the burden of these heatrelated cardiovascular risks falls disproportionately on vulnerable communities Elderly people those with preexisting heart conditions and lowincome populations are at high riskLimited access to air conditioning inadequate hydration due to economic constraints and social isolation can exacerbate the dangers of heat waves for these groups leading to a higher incidence of heatrelated illnesses and deathsDr Dutta stressed the need for building more sustainable and heatresistant infrastructure is also essential for longterm protectionA recent study by researchers from the Indian Institute of TechnologyBhubaneswar showed that urbanisation alone is responsible for 60 per cent of the warming trend in Indian citiesDespite accounting for only about 1 per cent of the land cities house more than half of the worldrsquos inhabitants revealed the findings published in Nature journalldquoHeat waves are caused mostly by climate change and weather patterns disruptionsrdquo Hisham Mundol chief advisor Environmental Defense Fund India saidMoreover the urban heat island effect where reduced vegetation increased concretisation and concentrations raise temperatures increases the riskHisham noted that mitigation is both possible and is urgently required It requires both reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing forest coverDr Dutta emphasised the need for proper hydration staying indoors during peak heat hours and wearing loose breathable clothingThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever