New data suggests that rates of A-fib nearly triple on triple-digit days in people with implanted defibrillators Folks who have the devices should try and stay cool on hot days, heart experts say The danger may rise as climate change advances MONDAY, Nov. 11, 2024 (HealthDay News) -- Thousands of Americans with heart trouble have small implanted defibrillators, to help regulate their heartbeat and keep cardiac events at bay. But new research finds that on extremely hot days, people with the devices face nearly triple the odds for a dangerous arrhythmia known as (A-fib), compared to days with cooler temperatures.
The threat is likely to rise as climate change makes triple-digit days more common, experts noted. “Susceptible individuals living in areas at risk for markedly increased temperatures should take note of these findings and ensure that they take appropriate precautions to stay cool and hydrated,” said , an expert working with the American Heart Association (AHA). He wasn't involved in the new study.
“This may be the first study that has linked ICD detection of A-fib with temperature spikes,” Rajagopalan, a professor at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, said in an AHA news release. “These findings reiterate other recent research about the link between outdoor temperature and cardiovascular health. Given the rising prevalence of A-fib in the general population due to increasing age and the prevalence of obesity, we now may also have to contend with .