LOS ANGELES, Nov. 6, 2012 — No matter what climate you live in, you’re more likely to die of heart-related issues in the winter, according to research presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2012.
“This was surprising because climate was thought to be the primary determinant of seasonal variation in death rates,” said Bryan Schwartz, M.D., lead author of the study.
Researchers at Good Samaritan Hospital in Los Angeles analyzed 2005-08 death certificate data from seven U.S. locations with different climates: Los Angeles County, Calif.; Texas; Arizona; Georgia; Washington; Pennsylvania and Massachusetts.
In all areas, total and “circulatory” deaths rose an average 26 percent to 36 percent from the summer low to the winter peak over four years. Circulatory deaths include fatal heart attack, heart failure, cardiovascular disease and stroke.