Weather data can predict cardiac arrest risks days in advance

A national study conducted by Semmelweis University, the Budapest University of Technology and Economics, and the National Ambulance Service has found that weather data can predict increases in out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCA) up to three days in advance.

Analyzing over 114,000 cases between November 2018 and December 2023, researchers identified temperature as a primary risk factor. The study, published in the journal Public Health, revealed that every one-degree Celsius drop in average temperature correlates with an average 1.4 percent increase in daily OHCA occurrences. Seasonal data showed that these events are nearly 18 percent more frequent in winter than in summer.

Researchers examined various meteorological factors, including wind speed, air pressure, humidity, and air quality, but cooling remained a critical indicator. The findings suggest that meteorological forecasting models could help cardiovascular patients prepare for high-risk periods and assist emergency services and hospitals in managing anticipated surges in demand.