Severe Weather Poses Hidden Heart Health Risks, American Heart Association Warns
Kansas residents urged to include cardiovascular protection in emergency preparedness plans as spring storm season approaches.
WICHITA, Kan. — As severe weather season begins across Kansas, the American Heart Association is urging residents to consider their cardiovascular health when preparing for storms and natural disasters. Multiple studies show that tornadoes, floods and other severe weather events can significantly increase heart attack and stroke rates both during and years after the initial disaster strikes.
Research presented at American Heart Association conferences reveals alarming trends following major storms. Hurricane Maria survivors in Puerto Rico showed higher rates of high blood pressure, obesity and heart disease two years after the 2017 storm. Heart attack rates increased nearly five times in Gulf Coast areas affected by Hurricane Katrina, even 12 years later. Hurricane Sandy caused 125 additional heart attacks and 36 more strokes in New Jersey within just two weeks of the 2012 storm.
Heather Smart, Senior Development Director for the American Heart Association-Kansas, attributes the increased cardiovascular risks to extreme stress, trauma, and disrupted access to healthcare and medications following disasters. The organization recommends creating a medical information tracker with conditions, medications and pharmacy details for emergency kits, learning CPR and AED use, and ensuring medication supplies remain accessible during evacuations. Residents can find comprehensive emergency preparedness resources at the American Heart Association's Community Emergency Resources webpage.
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