Report: Extreme Heat and Humidity Sharply Raise Heart Risks

Report: Extreme Heat and Humidity Sharply Raise Heart Risks
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A new study from researchers at Tulane University and in Bangladesh shows that the risk of cardiovascular emergency visits increases dramatically on days with high heat and humidity, Earth.com reported. The analysis, published in the journal Science of The Total Environment, found that the chance of a heart-related emergency rises sixfold on days that are both extremely hot and very humid, compared to hot but drier days.

The research, led by Mostafijur Rahman, an assistant professor at Tulane’s School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, highlights that humidity amplifies the effects of heat on the body. As humidity climbs, sweat evaporates less efficiently, making it harder for the body to cool itself. This puts extra strain on the heart, forcing it to work harder to move blood to the skin for cooling. The study found a link between heat alone and increased risk, but humidity was shown to intensify this effect across all age and sex groups.

The findings are especially relevant for regions like Bangladesh, where access to air conditioning is limited. The study found that only about 2.28% of households in the country owned an air conditioner in 2023. Researchers noted that public health warnings need to treat humidity as a key factor in heat danger, not just a background variable, and that emergency managers should adjust staffing and extend cooling center hours on high-humidity days.