Australia Loses 50,000 Years of Healthy Life Annually Due to Heat-Linked Heart Disease: Study

Each year, Australians are losing nearly 50,000 years of good health to heart disease made worse by extreme heat, according to a new study in the European Heart Journal. And as climate change pushes temperatures higher, experts warn this toll could double or even triple by the middle of the century.

The study, led by scientists from the University of Adelaide, analysed national health data from 2003 to 2018. It found that around 7.3% of all cardiovascular-related deaths and illnesses were directly tied to dangerously hot weather.

This isn’t just a story about statistics. It’s about the growing pressure on people’s hearts—especially among older people and those already vulnerable—during long, sweltering summers. The findings paint a worrying picture of how rising temperatures already affect lives across the country and may continue unless serious action is taken.

Heat and the Heart: A Dangerous Connection

Lead researcher Professor Peng Bi explains that hot weather puts extra pressure on the heart to keep the body cool. For people already living with heart conditions, this additional effort can become dangerous—raising the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and other serious complications.

“When the weather is hot, our hearts must work harder to help us cool down. This added pressure can be dangerous, especially for people with cardiovascular disease,” said Professor Bi.

The report explains how high temperatures can lead to dehydration, thicker blood, and a faster heart rate. Together, these changes increase the chances of blood clots, high blood pressure, and even heat stroke. And with heatwaves becoming more common due to climate change, these health risks are only growing.

The Rising Burden of Cardiovascular Disease

Cardiovascular disease is already a significant health concern in Australia, contributing to one in four deaths nationwide. The study’s projections indicate that if global temperatures continue to rise, heart disease cases linked to extreme weather could escalate dramatically in the next 25 years.

To understand the future, the researchers looked at different climate scenarios from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). In the worst-case situation—where we continue pumping out greenhouse gases at today’s pace—the number of people affected by heat-related heart issues could triple by 2050. Even if we take some steps to cut emissions, the study warns the burden could still double.

Climate Change and Public Health: A Growing Crisis

This study adds to a growing understanding that climate change isn’t just about the environment—it’s also a serious threat to our health. Rising temperatures have already been linked to heat strokes, breathing problems, and higher death rates among the elderly and other vulnerable groups. Now, researchers are drawing a clear connection to heart disease as well.

Dr Sarah Perkins-Kirkpatrick, a climate scientist who wasn’t involved in the study, pointed out that Australia is already dealing with longer, more intense heatwaves because of global warming.

“We’re already seeing record-breaking temperatures, and it’s only going to get worse if we don’t take strong climate action,” she warned. “The pressure this will put on our healthcare system will be enormous.”

Who Is Most at Risk?

Certain groups are more vulnerable to heat-related heart issues, including:

Elderly individuals (above 65 years)
People with pre-existing heart disease
Those with high blood pressure or diabetes
Outdoor workers and athletes
People living in poorly ventilated or urban heat island areas

Additionally, socioeconomic factors play a role. Lower-income communities often have less access to air conditioning, healthcare, and green spaces, making them more susceptible to extreme heat conditions.

What Can Be Done?

Experts agree: the time to act is now—both at the government level and in our everyday lives—to protect heart health in a warming world. Here’s what that could look like:

1. Stronger Climate Policies

Governments have a significant role in cutting greenhouse gas emissions and slowing the pace of global warming. That means:

Shifting toward clean, renewable energy sources
Designing cooler, greener cities to reduce heat buildup
Making sure our public health systems are ready for more frequent and intense heatwaves

2. Public Awareness and Health Support

Health agencies can help communities stay safe by spreading awareness and rolling out support systems, especially for those most at risk. This includes:

Promoting hydration and cooling strategies during heatwaves
Expanding early warning systems so people can prepare in advance
Opening more air-conditioned shelters for those without safe places to stay cool

3. What You Can Do

There are also simple but powerful steps individuals can take to stay safe—and help protect others:

Drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol or caffeine during extreme heat
Wear light, breathable clothes and avoid heavy exercise during the hottest part of the day
Check-in on older family members or neighbours, who are often more vulnerable to heat-related illnesses.

The findings make one thing clear: climate change is already having a real impact on our health. Without urgent steps to limit rising temperatures, Australia could be heading toward a significant public health crisis in the years ahead.

Tackling this challenge will take a team effort. Policymakers, healthcare workers, and everyday Australians all have a role—cutting emissions, improving heat safety measures, or helping communities prepare for hotter days. Taking action now could make all the difference in preventing heart-related illnesses from spiralling out of control.

References:

https://www.escardio.org/The-ESC/Press-Office/Press-releases/burden-of-cardiovascular-disease-caused-by-extreme-heat-in-australia-to-more-tha#:~:text=Then%20they%20used%20a%20statistical,disease%20caused%20by%20hot%20weather.

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4264980

https://pro.novonordisk.com/disclaimer.html?disclaim=https://pro.novonordisk.com/disease-area/cardiovascular-disease/cv-obesity&congress_id=accu&cid=pse-0vdj6bake2&s_kwcid=AL%2110025%213%21736053402661%21p%21%21g%21%21cardiovascular+disease+risks&gad_source=1

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