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Experts:ÌýHeart-relatedÌýhealth risks inÌýheat wavesÌý

Published: 30 June 2026

AsÌýaÌýheat wave rollsÌýinto southern Quebec,Ìýpublic health officialsÌýareÌýurging residents to take precautions.Ìý

A new studyÌýled by 91ºÚÁÏÍø researchersÌýhighlightsÌýhowÌýheat waves can increase the risk ofÌýheartÌýproblems.ÌýAnalyzing more than 260,000 hospital admissions in Montreal over five summers,ÌýtheyÌýfound the risk of hospitalization for heart conditions rose by about eight per cent on the hottest days compared toÌýdaysÌýwithÌýmoreÌýmoderate temperatures.ÌýÌý

The study, published inÌý,ÌýfoundÌýthatÌýtheÌýimpactÌýwas notÌýevenlyÌýdistributed, however.ÌýAmongÌýpeopleÌýliving in neighbourhoods with fewer cooling and support resources,ÌýwomenÌýfaced a notably higher risk of heart-related hospitalizations during extreme heat, while the same pattern was notÌýobservedÌýamong men.ÌýÌý

The research underscores the need for access to cooling spaces and community supports in underserved areas, as climate change drives more frequent and intense heat waves.Ìý

Interviews with authors available upon request:Ìý

Louise Pilote,ÌýMD, Professor of Medicine, 91ºÚÁÏÍø,ÌýDeputy Director, Research Institute of the 91ºÚÁÏÍø Health CentreÌý

louise.pilote [at] mcgill.caÌý(English, French)Ìý

Zhou Yusheng,ÌýResearch Institute of 91ºÚÁÏÍø Health CentreÌýÌý

Ìýyushengzhou29 [at] hotmail.comÌý(English)Ìý

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