Hurricane Exposure and Risk of Long-Term Cardiovascular Disease Outcomes

Area of Science:

• Environmental Health
• Cardiovascular Medicine
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Hurricanes are known to increase cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk.
• Long-term effects of hurricane exposure on CVD risk are not well understood.
• Understanding sustained health impacts is crucial for disaster preparedness.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between hurricane-related flooding and CVD risk.
• To assess CVD risk up to five years after hurricane landfall.
• To examine specific CVD subtypes including myocardial infarction, heart failure, and stroke.

Main Methods:

• A cohort study utilizing a national sample of Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries.
• Inclusion of beneficiaries from New Jersey, New York City, and Connecticut.
• Analysis of residence in zip code tabulation areas (ZCTAs) impacted by Hurricane Sandy flooding.

Main Results:

• Hurricane flooding was associated with a 5% increase in overall CVD risk 5 years post-landfall.
• A 3% increase in heart failure (HF) rates was observed in flooded areas.
• No significant association was found between flooding and myocardial infarction (MI) or stroke rates.

Conclusions:

• Hurricane-related flooding is linked to elevated CVD event rates for up to five years.
• Increased heart failure rates were specifically noted in New Jersey following the hurricane.
• Findings underscore the importance of place-based vulnerability and long-term mitigation strategies for hurricane impacts.