Warm Snowy Days are Associated with Risk of Myocardial Infarction Death

Tom Kosatsky Evidence suggests an increase in death by myocardial infarction (MI) on days with snowfall, but this had never been evaluated in the complex climate of British Columbia. We assessed the relationship between snowfall and MI mortality across the province from 2009-2017 using a case-crossover design. The odds ratio [95% confidence interval] on days with heavy snowfall (5 cm) was 1.34 [1.00, 1.80], but the effect was larger on warmer days, possibly due to heavier snow. We hypothesize that shoveling wet snow and travelling in slushy conditions may be important mechanisms underlying the link between snowfall and MI mortality.

BC CDC Presenters

10/22/2019 6:50:00 PM