The American Heart Association is alerting the public that the convergence of Canadian wildfire smoke drifting into parts of the U.S. and soaring summer temperatures creates a potentially deadly situation, especially for individuals with chronic health conditions such as heart disease. Dr. Manesh R. Patel, volunteer president of the American Heart Association, emphasized that both extreme heat and wildfire smoke carry major risks, but their combination is extremely dangerous.
While respiratory issues are often the primary concern with wildfire smoke, the American Heart Association highlights its serious impact on cardiovascular health. Wildfire smoke contains fine particulate matter (PM2.5) that can enter the bloodstream and trigger cardiovascular events. A study published in Circulation, the American Heart Association’s flagship journal, found that the risk of fatal heart attacks nearly doubled during extreme heat waves combined with high levels of fine particle pollution. The risks were even greater for women and older adults.
Additional research links smoke exposure to increased risks of sudden cardiac arrest and higher emergency room visits for cardiovascular diseases. A study in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that heavy smoke during wildfires raised the risk of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests by up to 70%, affecting both men and women, adults aged 35-64, and communities with lower socioeconomic status. Previous findings from the same group noted increased ER visits for ischemic heart disease, arrhythmias, heart failure, pulmonary embolism, and stroke.
Dr. Patel advises several precautions to reduce exposure: stay indoors with doors and windows closed, use high-efficiency air filters or portable air cleaners (which can reduce indoor particulate matter by 50-60%), seek shelter with air conditioning if necessary, limit outdoor activity during peak heat (noon to 3 p.m.), wear a mask outdoors, and stay hydrated with water while avoiding alcohol and caffeine. He also urges checking on older adults and those with chronic conditions, as they are at higher risk. Pets should be brought indoors as well.
Recognizing signs of a heart attack or stroke is critical. Symptoms include chest discomfort, pain in the arms, back, neck, jaw, or stomach, shortness of breath, cold sweat, nausea, lightheadedness, or rapid heartbeat. For heat stroke, symptoms include body temperature above 103°F, hot red skin, rapid pulse, confusion, or loss of consciousness. In both cases, call 911 immediately. Knowing CPR can more than double survival chances for cardiac arrest.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency provides a zip code-level air quality tracking map at airnow.gov. The American Heart Association also offers resources at www.heart.org.
