Ambient temperature and the risk of myocardial infarction

January 01, 0001

Ambient temperature and the risk of myocardial infarction

These British researchers examined the link between ambient temperature and risk of myocardial infarction using daily time series regression analysis. The looked at 84 010 hospital admissions for myocardial infarction recorded in the Myocardial Ischaemia National Audit Project during 2003-6.

The researchers found: "Smoothed graphs revealed a broadly linear relation between temperature and myocardial infarction, which was well characterised by log-linear models without a temperature threshold: each 1°C reduction in daily mean temperature was associated with a 2.0% cumulative increase in risk of myocardial infarction over the current and following 28 days, the strongest effects being estimated at intermediate lags of 2-7 and 8- 14 days: increase per 1°C reduction 0.6% and 0.7%, respectively. Heat had no detrimental effect. Adults aged 75-84 and those with previous coronary heart disease seemed more vulnerable to the effects of cold than other age groups, whereas those taking aspirin were less vulnerable."

The researchers concluded: "Increases in risk of myocardial infarction at colder ambient temperatures may be one driver of cold related increases in overall mortality, but an increased risk of myocardial infarction at higher temperatures was not detected. The risk of myocardial infarction in vulnerable people might be reduced by the provision of targeted advice or other interventions, triggered by forecasts of lower temperature."

This study suggests an increased risk of myocardial infarction with colder temperatures, especially in older adults and those with known coronary artery disease.

For the full abstract, click here.

BMJ 341:c3823, 10 August 2010 © 2010 Bhaskaran et al.
Short term effects of temperature on risk of myocardial infarction in England and Wales: time series regression analysis of the Myocardial Ischaemia National Audit Project (MINAP) registry. Krishnan Bhaskaran, Shakoor Hajat, Andy Haines, Emily Herrett, Paul Wilkinson, Liam Smeeth. Correspondence to K Bhaskaran: [email protected]

Category: K. Circulatory. Keywords: ambient temperature, cold, myocardial infaction, coronary artery disease, geriatric, regression analysis, journal watch.
Synopsis edited by Dr Paul Schaefer, Toledo, Ohio. Posted on Global Family Doctor 28 September 2010

Pearls are an independent product of the Cochrane primary care group and are meant for educational use and not to guide clinical care.

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