ESC Congress 2026 Abstract · Oct 26, 2026

Within 21 days of Hurricane Melissa: higher systolic blood pressure, diabetes, and heart failure vs age- and sex-matched community controls

By Williams C, Hibbert R, Arize C et al.

Background: Natural disasters are increasing globally, yet their cardiovascular consequences in Caribbean populations are poorly characterised. Hurricanes may provoke acute haemodynamic stress and unmask latent cardiometabolic disease. Purpose: To compare cardiovascular risk profiles and comorbidities among survivors of Hurricane Melissa in a Caribbean setting with age- and sex-matched community controls derived from a regional electronic health record. Methods: We prospectively collected clinical data within 21 days of Hurricane Melissa (immediately post-event) from 100 patients presenting with hurricane-related health needs in a Caribbean region. Age- and sex-matched controls (n=400; 1:4 ratio) were extracted from a regional electronic health record database using a Python-based algorithm that prioritised data completeness. We compared blood pressure, heart rate, body mass index (BMI), and major cardiovascular comorbidities between groups using descriptive statistics and appropriate comparative tests. Results: The Hurricane Melissa cohort (mean age 51±21 years; 45% male) was demographically comparable to controls (52±23 years; 45% male; p=0.91). Systolic blood pressure was higher in disaster survivors than in controls (139±43 vs 132±18 mmHg; mean difference +7.6 mmHg; p=0.003). Diastolic blood pressure and heart rate were similar (83±15 vs 81±12 mmHg; p=0.32; and 81±15 vs 78±14 bpm; p=0.11, respectively). BMI did not differ between groups (39.7±18.4 vs 38.2±8.5 kg/m²; p=0.41). Diabetes mellitus was more prevalent among hurricane survivors (22% vs 15.5%; absolute difference +6.5%; p=0.042). Heart failure was documented in 5% of the disaster cohort versus <1% of controls (p=0.02). Hypertension prevalence was similar (47% vs 44.5%; p=0.58). Dyslipidaemia was more common in controls (21.3% vs 8%; p<0.001). Coronary artery disease prevalence did not differ (8% vs 7%; p=0.64). Conclusion(s): Survivors evaluated in the first 21 days after a major Caribbean hurricane had higher systolic blood pressure and greater burdens of diabetes and heart failure compared with age- and sex-matched community controls. These findings suggest hurricane exposure may rapidly amplify cardiovascular and metabolic risk and support the development of structured post-disaster cardiovascular screening pathways.CHARACTERISTICS AND VITAL SIGNS

doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/ehag785.3552Open accessPopulations