Climate Change and Cardiovascular Disease: New Insights from a Poznan University Study

A recent study conducted by researchers from the Poznan University of Medical Sciences in Poland has highlighted the potential link between climate change and the progression of coronary artery disease. The study, which analyzed data from 224 patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) followed by repeated angiography, found that exposure to extreme low and warm temperatures was predictive of stenosis progression. The researchers concluded that climate change, represented by mean yearly temperature growth, can be considered an ominous factor for plaque progression.

Key Takeaways:

• The study found that mean yearly ambient temperatures, exposure to extreme low temperatures (below -10°C), and warm temperatures (above 25°C) were predictive of stenosis progression in coronary artery disease patients.
• The researchers observed that low ambient temperatures in patients with previous percutaneous interventions may relate to premature significant coronary culprit lesion progression.
• The study suggested that exposure to days characterized by warm temperatures may be regarded as protective against coronary disease progression.
• The climatic changes represented by mean yearly temperature growth were found to be an ominous factor for plaque progression.
• The study recommends a personalized approach to understanding the relationship between climate change and cardiovascular disease progression.
• The researchers identified coronary disease progression as age-related and modulated by ambient temperature exposures.
• The study involved 146 males and 46 females with a mean age of 67.7 ± 7.7 years, who underwent PCI followed by repeated angiography due to angina equivalent symptoms after a median of 510 days.

Statistics:

• 224 patients were included in the study.
• 146 males and 46 females participated in the study.
• The mean age of the participants was 67.7 ± 7.7 years.
• 510 days was the median time interval between angiographic evaluations.
• Mean yearly ambient temperatures were found to be strongly predictive of stenosis progression (p = 0.018).
• Exposure to extreme low temperatures (below -10°C) was predictive of stenosis progression (p = 0.032).
• Warm temperatures (above 25°C) were also predictive of stenosis progression (p = 0.023).

Sources:

• NewsRx. Studies Conducted at Poznan University of Medical Sciences on Disease Progression Recently Reported (Low air-temperatures exposure as a risk factor for coronary artery disease progression - personalized analysis). Cardiovascular Week. October 13, 2025; p 162.
• Low air-temperatures exposure as a risk factor for coronary artery disease progression - personalized analysis. BMC Cardiovascular Disorders, 2025;25(1):697.