Relationship between outdoor temperature and cardiovascular disease risk factors in older people

Sartini, C. et al. (2017) Relationship between outdoor temperature and cardiovascular disease risk factors in older people. European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, 24(4), pp. 349-356. (doi: 10.1177/2047487316682119) (PMID:27899528)

Abstract

Background: Previous studies demonstrated that lower outdoor temperatures increase the levels of established cardiovascular disease risk factors, such as blood pressure and lipids. Whether or not low temperatures increase novel cardiovascular disease risk factors levels is not well studied. The aim was to investigate associations of outdoor temperature with a comprehensive range of established and novel cardiovascular disease risk factors in two large Northern European studies of older adults, in whom cardiovascular disease risk is increased. Design and methods: Data came from the British Regional Heart Study (4252 men aged 60–79 years) and the Prospective Study of Pravastatin in the Elderly at Risk (5804 men and women aged 70–82 years). Associations between outdoor temperature and cardiovascular disease risk factors were quantified in each study and then pooled using a random effects model. Results: With a 5C lower mean temperature, total cholesterol was 0.04 mmol/l (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.02–0.07) higher, low density lipoprotein cholesterol was 0.02 mmol/l (95% CI 0.01–0.05) higher and SBP was 1.12 mm Hg (95% CI 0.60–1.64) higher. Among novel cardiovascular disease risk factors, C-reactive protein was 3.3% (95% CI 1.0–5.6%) higher, interleukin-6 was 2.7% (95% CI 1.1–4.3%) higher, and vitamin D was 11.2% (95% CI 1.0–20.4%) lower. Conclusions: Lower outdoor temperature was associated with adverse effects on cholesterol, blood pressure, circulating inflammatory markers, and vitamin D in two older populations. Public health approaches to protect the elderly against low temperatures could help in reducing the levels of several cardiovascular disease risk factors.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: This research was supported by a British Heart Foundation (BHF) project grant (PG/13/41/30304) which supported CS. The BRHS is supported by a BHF programme grant (RG/13/16/30528).
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Lowe, Professor Gordon and Welsh, Professor Paul and Barry, Dr Sarah and Ford, Professor Ian and Sattar, Professor Naveed
• Authors: Sartini, C., Barry, S. J.E., Whincup, P. H., Wannamethee, S. G., Lowe, G. D.O., Jefferis, B. J., Lennon, L., Welsh, P., Ford, I., Sattar, N., and Morris, R. W.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Health; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Robertson Centre
• Journal Name: European Journal of Preventive Cardiology
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• ISSN: 2047-4873
• ISSN (Online): 2047-4881
• Published Online: 05 December 2016
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2016 The Authors
• First Published: First published in European Journal of Preventive Cardiology 24(4):349-356
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License