Winter peaks in heart failure: an inevitable or preventable consequence of seasonal vulnerability?

Stewart, S., Moholdt, T. T., Burrell, L. M., Sliwa, K., Mocumbi, A. O., McMurray, J. J.V. , Keates, A. K. and Hawley, J. A. (2019) Winter peaks in heart failure: an inevitable or preventable consequence of seasonal vulnerability? Cardiac Failure Review, 5(2), pp. 83-85. (doi: 10.15420/cfr.2018.40.2) (PMID:31179017) (PMCID:PMC6546000)

Abstract

Climate change is a major contributor to annual winter peaks in cardiovascular events across the globe. However, given the paradoxical observation that cardiovascular seasonality is observed in relatively mild as well as cold climates, global warming may not be as positive for the syndrome of heart failure (HF) as some predict. In this article, we present our Model of Seasonal Flexibility to explain the spectrum of individual responses to climatic conditions. We have identified distinctive phenotypes of resilience and vulnerability to explain why winter peaks in HF occur. Moreover, we identify how better identification of climatic vulnerability and the use of multifaceted interventions focusing on modifiable bio-behavioural factors may improve HF outcomes.

• Item Type: Articles
• Keywords: Cardiovascular seasonality, heart failure, physiological and behaviour changes, prediction, prevention, risk, seasonal flexibility.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: McMurray, Professor John
• Authors: Stewart, S., Moholdt, T. T., Burrell, L. M., Sliwa, K., Mocumbi, A. O., McMurray, J. J.V., Keates, A. K., and Hawley, J. A.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Health
• Journal Name: Cardiac Failure Review
• Publisher: Radcliffe Cardiology
• ISSN: 2057-7540
• ISSN (Online): 2057-7559
• Published Online: 24 May 2019
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2019 Radcliffe Cardiology
• First Published: First published in Cardiac Failure Review 5(2): 83-85
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License