Approved Research

When the Weather Strikes: How Meteorological Factors Influence the Risk of Stroke and Heart Attack in UK Biobank Participants

Lay summary

Cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases are the leading causes of death and morbidity worldwide. Existing studies have identified a variety of risk factors, such as lifestyle and metabolic diseases, but these mechanisms cannot fully explain why acute cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases occur suddenly. Environmental factors such as temperature, wind, and humidity may be associated with disease development, but the specific location of these factors in the acute disease process has not been fully studied. We aimed to assess the impact of various meteorological factors on acute cardio-cerebrovascular disease and explore potential interactions with common chronic diseases. This 36-month study will help people understand how weather conditions affect their health and take preventive measures when needed, and we hope our research will help health professionals and policymakers develop early warning systems and implement preventive measures for people at high risk of stroke or heart attack.