High temperatures can lead to heart attacks, as shown in a lab experiment that exposed participants to increasing heat levels. Older individuals with heart disease are particularly at risk, as changes in weather, both extreme heat and cold, can trigger chest pain, heart attacks, and sudden death. The experiment revealed that even resting in heat made participants’ hearts work harder, with one-third of older participants experiencing narrowed passages due to existing coronary artery disease. This study emphasizes the need to protect vulnerable populations, like older people with heart disease, from the health risks associated with rising temperatures due to climate change. Efforts should focus on reducing the workload on the heart during hot weather.
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Heat wave can put hearts into ‘oxygen debt,’ lab experiment shows| STAT
