An increase in hospitalization and death in elderly patients with heart failure could be associated with changes in temperature and atmospheric pressure, according to a new study in Environment International. The authors of the study say elderly with heart failure should avoid fog and low cloud in the winter as a preventive measure.

Winter is round the corner and senior citizens with a heart condition are advised to avoid exposure to winter fog as far as possible. A new study has found a link between change in temperature and atmospheric pressure and an increase in hospitalisation and death of elderly heart patients.

Previous research has shown that changes in the weather can affect the health of vulnerable people – for example, heat waves and cold spells have been shown to increase disease and even lead to death in people from low-income neighborhoods. 

The authors of the study say elderly with heart problems should avoid fog and low cloud in the winter as a preventive measure.

The study, led by researchers at Universite Laval and Universite de Sherbrooke in Quebec, Canada, reveals the impact of changes in temperature and air pressure on heart patients.

In other words, a drop of 10°C in the average temperature over seven days, which is common in several countries because of seasonal variations, is associated with an increased risk in being hospitalised or dying of heart failure of about 7% in people aged over 65 diagnosed with the disease.

During the follow-up period, 21,157 heart failure events occurred, representing 18.7% of the people studied. In total, 18,309 people were hospitalised and 4,297 died.

Researchers concluded that heart patients should avoid exposure to fog and low cloud weather in winter as they often accompany high pressure systems.