Weather changes may be linked with stroke hospitalization, death

According to the American Heart Association, stroke hospitalization and death rates may be associated with changes in environmental temperature and dew point. Large daily temperature changes and higher average dew points may be linked with higher stroke hospitalizations. Research presented at the 2014 American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conferences suggests, weather is not something people would typically associate with stroke risk, however, we've found weather conditions are among the multiple factors that are associated with stroke hospitalizations," said Judith H. Lichtman, Ph.D., M.P.H. Researchers identified a nationwide sample of 134,510 people and found that:

•    Larger daily temperature changes and higher average dew point (indicating higher air moisture) were associated with higher stroke hospitalization rates.

•    Lower average annual temperatures were associated with stroke hospitalizations and death.

•    With each 1°F increase in average temperature, there was a 0.86 percent decrease in the odds of stroke hospitalization and a 1.1 percent decrease in the odds of dying in the hospital after stroke.

Increases in daily temperature fluctuation and average dew point were associated with increased odds of stroke hospitalization, but not with dying in the hospital.

For full article: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/02/140212112559.htm