Climate change: a cardiologist warns of more heart attacks and strokes

Climate change is not only a rising sea spiegelund more droughts – he’s a danger to the health. Especially theheart and circulatory System is stressed by increasing heat.Experts see the health system a major challenge.

At the end of July, a record heat chased in Germany the next, with 42.6 degree Celsius, it was finally the highest temperature in the lower Saxony Lingen measured. These hot days are exhausting for the body and will be in the Federal Republic of Germany in the Wake of climate change becoming more frequent. Especially the circulatory System accounted for high temperatures and large temperature to create jumps within a short time, says Andreas Zeiher, President of the German society for cardiology. The Result? "Increased Herzinfarkte". The several studies show.

Worse than Smoking

Zeiher sees climate change as a greater risk to health than Smoking – "because the whole population is affected." And: Against temperature fluctuations and heat is nothing he can do to be different than non – smokers. The climate changes are "very sicher" one of the biggest challenges for the health care system in the next 20 to 50 years. "Because in addition to the temperature changes, fires, and increased air pollution associated with it, for example."

More heart attacks, strokes, and emergencies on hot days

"Heat and, in particular, abrupt changes in temperature mean Stress for the body and the cardiovascular System", doctors explained Zeiher, on the occasion of world heart day this Sunday. Stress hormones would be secreted, in consequence of which the vessels are narrowed, the blood will sticky and thick liquid. The risk for a heart attack and stroke increases. "We recorded a higher Occurrence of heart attacks and strokes, and total emergency Visits in the hospital in very hot Tagen", Zeiher says. Especially people with cardiovascular disease, the elderly and diabetics were affected.

A number of studies have shown that at higher air temperature, the death rate in people with cardiovascular diseases increases, says Elke Hertig, Professor for climate change and health at the University of Augsburg. "The death rate in heat waves may increase by two to three percent."

In hot regions, people adapt

How can prepare at-risk groups in the case of heat and temperature jumps? Drink plenty of fluids, at high temperatures, the body is not extraordinarily demanding, and straining, as well as optionally in the cool of the interior rooms remain, the scientists say we are in agreement.

In areas of the world where higher temperatures prevail, for example in the Mediterranean, not attacks there according to the researchers, nevertheless, more heart. "The people have adapted and come up with the heat better because they have learned over centuries how to umgeht&quot about with the midday heat better;, lung specialist, Christian Witt of the Charité says. Especially in their behavior, the inhabitants of regions with a lot of heat to be adjusted better, says Hertig and refers to the other buildings, and long breaks such as the Siesta in the midday time. And The high temperatures are largely constant, there are large jumps, added Zeiher.

In cities, temperatures differences of up to eight degrees

Other possible effects of climate change, made the health to create, such as strongly fluctuating temperatures or strong rain events, says Witt, the expert for climate change and health. For example, the mold increases in risk in apartments and basements, due to frequent and heavy rain. "The main issue is heat, especially in the cities." Because it is precisely in these densely populated areas by buildings and traffic can be particularly hot. Between the Berlin centre and the outskirts about it give temperature differences of up to eight degrees Celsius.

The political discussion in Germany to the right to work from home on hot days or heat for people who work Outdoors, place coated Zeiher still – "at the Moment noch".

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