Study: Effects of global warming on people with heart failure
In a new study, the effects of global warming on patients with heart failure (heart failure) examined. It has been shown that the heart disease by persisting Heat deteriorated.
A French national study showed that high temperatures during the 2019 heat waves were strongly linked to weight loss in people with heart failure, indicating a worsening of their condition. The study was published in “ESC heart failure‘, a journal of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC).
Weight loss can be dangerous
“This study is the first to show a strict association between ambient temperature and body weight in patients with heart failure”will study the author Professor François Roubille of Montpellier University Hospital, France, in a Message quoted by the CES.
“Given the heat waves, the finding is also timely this year. The weight loss we’ve seen in people with heart failure can lead to low blood pressure, especially when standing, and kidney failure, and can potentially be life-threatening.”according to the expert.
“With rising temperatures predicted for the future, physicians and patients should be prepared to reduce the dose of diuretics if the need arises.” weightloss come.”
Drugs for water retention
In heart failure, the heart does not pump blood around the body as well as it should. Waste accumulates and causes shortness of breath and fluid accumulations in the lungs, legs and abdomen.
Weight is the cornerstone of monitoring since weight gain is linked to water retention. diuretics too water tablets called, are used to increase urine output and reduce shortness of breath and swelling.
ESC Guidelines recommend educating patients, increasing their diuretic dose, or telling their doctor if they notice increased shortness of breath or swelling, or sudden, unexpected weight gain of more than two kilograms in three days. Less attention has been paid to weight loss.
Urinary output is not automatically regulated
The authors of the current study hypothesized that the body weight of people with heart failure might change during a heat wave. Professor Roubille explains: “When healthy people drink more fluids in hot weather, the body automatically regulates it. urine output. This does not apply to patients with heart failure because they are taking diuretics.
The study examined the relationship between body weight and air temperature between June 1 and September 20, 2019, which included the two heat waves in late June and late July. the analysis included 420 patients with chronic heart failure. The median age was 73 years, 28% were female, and the median weight was 78 kg.
A national telemonitoring system was used to obtain weight and symptom information remotely. Patients weighed themselves daily with a scale that readings automatically sent to the clinic.
Study participants reported daily symptoms such as edema, fatigue, shortness of breath and cough by answering the questions on a personal device (e.g. smartphone, tablet), with the answers automatically sent to the clinic.
the daytime temperatures (noon) were determined using data from the weather station closest to each patient’s home.
The researchers analyzed the link between participants’ weight, ambient temperature the same day and the temperature two days before the weight measurement.
The relationship between temperature and weight was very strong, with weight decreasing as temperature increased. The Strongest link was found at temperatures two days before weight measurement.
If you lose weight during a heat wave, see a doctor
“The weight loss we observed during the heat wave was clinically relevant. Patients weighing 78 kg lost 1.5 kg in a short time. We were surprised to see the weight drop in hot weather when we expected the opposite. That’s why he became remote monitoring system programmed to alert clinicians when patients gain weight”explains Professor Roubille.
“Given the Anticipation of new heat waves remote monitoring systems must also alert doctors in the event of weight loss in patients with heart failure. Additionally, the systems could inform patients who are losing weight that it may be due to heat and that they should see their doctor to reduce the dose of diuretics.”according to the scientist.
“For heart failure patients not being monitored remotely, a good rule of thumb would be to contact a doctor if the weight drops 2kg during a heat wave for advice on how.” Adjusted diuretics can become. Reacting early should help avoid complications. (ad)
Author and source information
This text corresponds to the specifications of the specialized medical literature, medical guidelines and current studies and has been verified by health professionals.
Sources:
European Society of Cardiology: Scientists warn of worsening heart disease as global warming drives up temperatures (Accessed: September 27, 2022), European Society of Cardiology
François Roubille, Eric Matzner-Lober, Sylvain Aguilhon, Max René, Laurent Lecourt, Michel Galinier, Jean-Etienne Ricci, Nicolas Molinari: Impact of global warming on the weight of heart failure during the 2019 heat wave in France; in: ESC Heart Failure, (published: 09/21/2022), ESC heart failure
Theresa A McDonagh, Marco Metra, Marianna Adamo, Roy S Gardner, Andreas Baumbach, Michael Böhm, Haran Burri, Javed Butler, Jelena Čelutkienė, Ovidiu Chioncel, John GF Cleland, Andrew JS Coats, Maria G Crespo-Leiro, Dimitrios Farmakis, Martine Gilard, Stéphane Heymans, Arno W Hoes, Tiny Jaarsma, Ewa A Jankowska, Mitja Lainscak, Carolyn SP Lam, Alexander R Lyon, John JV McMurray, Alexandre Mebazaa, Richard Mindham, Claudio Muneretto, Massimo Francesco Piepoli, Susanna Price, Giuseppe MC Rosano , Frank Ruschitzka, Anne Kathrine Skibelund, ESC Scientific Documentation Group: ESC 2021 Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Acute and Chronic Heart Failure: Developed by the Diagnosis and Treatment Working Group treatment of acute and chronic heart failure of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) With the special contribution of the Heart Failure Association (HFA) of the ESC; in: European Heart Journal, (published: 08/27/2021), European journal of the heart
Important note: This article contains general advice only and should not be used for self-diagnosis or treatment. It cannot substitute a visit to the doctor.