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Related Experiment Videos

Heart attacks and the Newcastle earthquake.

A J Dobson1, H M Alexander, J A Malcolm

  • 1Centre for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Newcastle, NSW.

The Medical Journal of Australia
|December 2, 1991
PubMed
Summary

The Newcastle earthquake was linked to a temporary increase in heart attacks and coronary deaths, particularly in those under 70. This study suggests acute stress may trigger cardiac events, though the risk subsided within months.

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Area of Science:

  • Cardiology and Environmental Health
  • Epidemiology of Natural Disasters

Background:

  • Natural disasters, such as earthquakes, can induce significant psychological and physical stress.
  • Previous research suggests a potential link between acute stress and cardiovascular events.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate whether the stress from the 1989 Newcastle earthquake increased the risk of heart attack and coronary death.
  • To quantify the short-term impact of the earthquake on cardiac mortality and morbidity.

Main Methods:

  • A natural experiment design was employed, studying residents of Newcastle and Lake Macquarie, Australia.
  • Data on myocardial infarction and coronary deaths were collected using World Health Organization (WHO) MONICA Project criteria.
  • Hospital admissions for coronary disease were analyzed for the period immediately following the earthquake (December 28-31, 1989) and compared to baseline and previous years.

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Main Results:

  • A statistically significant increase in fatal myocardial infarctions and coronary deaths (P = 0.016) was observed among individuals under 70 in the four days post-earthquake.
  • Relative risks indicated a 1.67-fold increased risk for fatal events and a 1.27-fold increased risk for hospital admissions related to ischemic heart disease during this acute period.
  • No elevated risk of cardiac events was detected in the four months following the earthquake.

Conclusions:

  • The findings provide evidence that acute emotional and physical stress, such as that experienced during an earthquake, may precipitate myocardial infarction and coronary death.
  • The observed increase in risk was comparable to, though slightly lower than, that reported after earthquakes in Greece.
  • The stress-induced cardiac risk appears to be acute and short-lived.