Wildfire Smoke Exposure Increases Risk for Heart Failure

Follow Drugslib on

By Lori Solomon HealthDay Reporter

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on July 8, 2025.

via HealthDay

TUESDAY, July 8, 2025 -- Wildfire smoke exposure over time may increase the risk for heart failure, according to a study published in the July issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

Hua Hao, Ph.D., from the Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University in Atlanta, and colleagues investigated the association between long-term exposure to fire smoke-specific fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and incident heart failure compared to nonfire PM2.5. The analysis included data from 22 million fee-for-service Medicare enrollees (2007 to 2018).

The researchers found that for each 1-μg/m3 increase in the past two-year average smoke PM2.5, the risk for heart failure was increased by 1.014 percent compared with nonsmoke PM2.5 (hazard ratio, 1.005). Annually, this association corresponded to an estimated 20,238 additional heart failure cases among older U.S. adults. During the past two years, the number of days exposed to smoke PM2.5 >1 μg/m3 or >2.5 μg/m3 were both significantly associated with a heightened heart failure risk. Susceptibility to smoke PM2.5-linked heart failure was stronger in women, Medicaid-eligible individuals, and those living in lower-income areas.

"As wildfire smoke becomes more frequent and intense, we are learning that even small, long-term exposures can raise the risk of heart failure, especially among the most vulnerable," Harlan M. Krumholz, M.D., editor-in-chief of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, said in a statement. "These findings elevate the urgency of protecting communities through both environmental policy and health care preparedness."

Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)

Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.

Source: HealthDay

Posted : 2025-07-09 06:00

Read more

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Popular Keywords