Journal of Clinical Hypertension, 2020.22(3), 438-444, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jch.13762

The influence of the ambient temperature on blood pressure and how it will affect the epidemiology of hypertension in Asia

Sungha Park, Kazuomi Kario; Yook-Chin Chia; Yuda Turana; Chen-Huan Chen; Peera Buranakitjaroen; Jennifer Nailes; Satoshi Hoshide; Saulat Siddique; Jorge Sison; Arieska Ann Soenarta; Guru Prasad Sogunuru; Jam Chin Tay; Boon Wee Teo; Yu-Qing Zhang; Jinho Shin; Huynh Van Minh; Naoko Tomitani; Tomoyuki Kabutoya; Apichard Sukonthasarn; Narsingh Verma; Tzung-Dau Wang; Ji-Guang Wang

Abstract

Epidemiologic studies have consistently demonstrated an increased risk of cardiovascular disease during colder temperatures. Hemodynamic changes associated with cold temperature and an increase in thrombogenicity may both account for the increase in cardiovascular risk and mortality. Studies using both in-office and out-of-office BP measurements have consistently shown an elevation in BP during the colder seasons. The large difference in BP between cold and warm months may increase the incidence of hypertension and reduce the hypertension control rate, potentially resulting in increased cardiovascular risk, especially among those at risk of cardiovascular disease. The current trends in global warming and climate change may have a profound impact on the epidemiology of hypertension and cardiovascular disease, as changes in the climate may significantly affect both BP variability and cardiovascular disease, especially in those with high cardiovascular risk and the elderly. Furthermore, climate change could have a significant influence on hypertension in Asia, considering the unique characteristics of hypertensive patients in Asia. As an increase in ambient temperature decreases the mean daytime average and morning surge in BP, but increases the nocturnal BP, it is difficult to predict how environmental changes will affect the epidemiology and prognosis of hypertension in the Asian-Pacific region. However, these seasonal variations in BP could be minimized by adjusting the housing conditions and using anticipation medicine. In this review, we discuss the impact of seasonal variation in the ambient temperature on hypertension and cardiovascular disease and discuss how this may impact the epidemiology of hypertension and cardiovascular disease.

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jch.13762
• ISBN or ISSN: 1751-7176

• 본 연구는 질병관리본부 연구개발과제연구비를 지원받아 수행되었습니다.
• This research was supported by a fund by Research of Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.