US Cardiovascular Deaths From Extreme Heat Projected to Triple by Mid-Century, Elderly and Black Adults Most Affected

Study reveals escalating greenhouse gas emissions pose a major health equity issue; poor implementation of proposed reduction policies could see cardiovascular death rates surge by up to 233% in the forthcoming decades.

Cardiovascular deaths in the U.S. from extreme heat are projected to double or triple by mid-century due to rising greenhouse gas emissions, with elderly and black adults being the most at-risk groups.
A study reveals that, even if currently proposed U.S. policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions are implemented, cardiovascular deaths from extreme heat are expected to increase by 162% in the middle of the century; this could surge to a 233% increase with minimal efforts to reduce emissions.
In relation to reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, adults aged 65 and older are expected to see a 2.9 to 3.5 times increase in cardiovascular deaths due to extreme heat, compared to adults aged 20-64; non-Hispanic black adults may experience a 3.8 to 4.6 times increase.
Environmental and social factors such as urban heat island effects, fewer green spaces, and less access to air conditioning contribute to these racial and age disparities in heat-related health risks.
Due to population growth and migration, rates of heart-related deaths will rise even if mitigation measures against climate change are put into place; extreme heat contributes to a small percentage of total cardiovascular deaths, but as hot days become more frequent, risk mitigations become crucial.