Reducing the burden of heat-related impacts on cardiovascular health

Heat extremes significantly increase morbidity and mortality, particularly among older adults and people with cardiovascular disease (CVD). The year 2024 was the warmest year on record and the first calendar year in which the annual global mean temperature exceeded 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels-exposing people with CVD to a record number of extreme heat days. With the frequency and intensity of heat extremes expected to rise, the health risks for people with CVD will continue to escalate. There is an urgent need to provide scientific evidence to advise patients and healthcare professionals to manage cardiovascular health under these circumstances. This statement builds on a prior European Society of Cardiology document that explored the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying increased risk of cardiovascular events during heat extremes. Here, evidence informed advice guided by experts in thermal physiology and CVD is provided for clinicians and healthcare professionals to help advise their patients and reduce the negative impacts of heat on CVD health. The advice, while novel, relates to best practice for multidisciplinary care before, during, and after heat extremes, ensuring a proactive and comprehensive approach to patient safety. By integrating current evidence with practical strategies, this statement aims to bridge the evidence-to-practice gap and enhance preparedness for the increasing burden of climate-change driven health risks.