Extreme heat/heatwaves and air pollution (including bushfire smoke) increases Cardiovascular disease. 9 million deaths per year are attributed to air pollution and the no. 1 cause of death during heatwaves is from a cardiovascular event. Learn how the environment affects your heart health and what you can do it about from Cardiologist Dr Foo. How you can reduce your risk acutely in extreme heat, and on high air pollution days. I will also discuss the cardiac co-benefits of climate change mitigation and what you can do for the health of both your heart and our planet.”

Climate change, through its association with extreme weather events and air pollution, increases cardiovascular (CVD) mortality and morbidity. Air pollution is the 4th highest modifiable CVD risk factor (after high blood pressure, dietary risks and high cholesterol). WHO estimates up to 9 million deaths are attributable to outdoor pollution alone. More than half of these deaths were due to CVD, including heart attacks and strokes. Heat is also the greatest weather related cause of death, and the no. 1 cause of death during heatwaves is from a cardiovascular event. Extreme heat/heatwaves increases all CVD deaths, heart attacks, CVD hospitalisations; and out of hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA).

This pre-recorded zoom session was part of the Eco Living Festival 2021. Further presentation resources are available here - https://www.randwick.nsw.gov.au/community/whats-on/major-events/eco-living-festival