Short-term exposure to higher heat may increase inflammation and interfere with normal immune system functions in the body, which may, in turn, increase susceptibility to infections and accelerate the progression of cardiovascular disease, according to preliminary research be presented at the American Heart Association’s Epidemiology and Prevention – Lifestyle and Cardiometabolic Scientific Sessions 2024, March 18-21.
An inflammatory response that is longstanding (lasting weeks to months) or that occurs in healthy tissues is damaging and plays a key role in the build-up of plaque in the arteries. This may lead to atherosclerosis. Heat waves are known to promote inflammation, however, studies examining air temperature and biomarkers of inflammation have had mixed results.
“Most research only considers temperature as the exposure of interest, which may not be adequate to capture a person’s response to heat,” said lead study author Daniel W. Riggs, PhD, an assistant professor of medicine at the University of Louisville. “In our study, we used alternative measurements of heat in relation to multiple markers of inflammation and immune response in the body to investigate the short-term effects of heat exposure and produce a more complete picture of its health impact.”
Participants visited study sites in Louisville, during the summer months for a blood test, and researchers analysed the blood for multiple markers of immune system function. The researchers then examined associations between the markers of immune system function and heat levels, including temperature, net effective temperature (which factors in relative humidity, air temperature and windspeed) and the Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI) on that day. UTCI is a thermo-physiological model developed by the International Society of Biometeorology Commission that factors in temperature, humidity, wind speed and ultraviolet radiation levels, which was used to evaluate participant’s physical comfort.
The analysis found:
- For every 5°F (2.8°C) increase in UTCI (in this study, the equivalent of going from a day with no thermal stress to a day with moderate thermal stress, Riggs said), there was an increase in blood levels of key inflammatory markers: monocytes (4.2%), eosinophils (9.5%), natural killer T-cells (9.9%) and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (7.0%). These immune molecules indicate activation of the body’s innate immune system, which spurs a fast and non-specific inflammatory response throughout the body to protect against pathogens and injury.
- A decrease in B-cells (-6.8%), indicating the body’s adaptive immune system that remembers specific viruses and germs and creates antibodies to fight them, was lowered.
- A lesser impact on the immune system was found when heat was measured by average 24-hour temperature or by net effective temperature, which incorporates humidity and wind but not sunshine.
“Our study participants only had minor exposure to high temperatures on the day of their blood test, however, even minor exposure may contribute to changes in immune markers,” Riggs said. “With rising global temperatures, the association between heat exposure and a temporarily weakened response from the immune system is a concern because temperature and humidity are known to be important environmental drivers of infectious, airborne disease transmission. Thus, during the hottest days of summer people may be at higher risk of heat exposure, they may also be more vulnerable to disease or inflammation.”
Adults over 60 years and adults with existing cardiovascular disease are particularly at risk for heat-related cardiovascular events and deaths, Riggs explained.
“It’s important for physicians to communicate with patients about the risk of adverse health effects from heat exposure. For example, cardiologists could conduct customised consultations and assessments to increase patient awareness about their susceptibility to the effects of high temperatures. Also, changes to treatment regimens may be important to consider to address other risks. For example, some medications could make people more susceptible to heat-related illness or some may not be as effective when the body is exposed to high temperatures,” Riggs said.
Source: American Heart Association
