As a heat wave rolls into southern Quebec, public health officials are urging residents to take precautions. 

A new study led by McGill researchers highlights how heat waves can increase the risk of heart problems. Analyzing more than 260,000 hospital admissions in Montreal over five summers, they found the risk of hospitalization for heart conditions rose by about eight per cent on the hottest days compared to days with more moderate temperatures.  

The study, published in CJC Open, found that the impact was not evenly distributed, however. Among people living in neighbourhoods with fewer cooling and support resources, women faced a notably higher risk of heart-related hospitalizations during extreme heat, while the same pattern was not observed among men.  

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. 

Interviews with authors available upon request: 

Louise Pilote, MD, Professor of Medicine, McGill University, Deputy Director, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre 

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

Zhou Yusheng, Research Institute of McGill University Health Centre  

 yushengzhou29 [at] hotmail.com (English)