Is there a relationship between weather temperature and the incidence Essay

Is there a relationship between weather temperature and the incidence of myocardial infarction (MI) in people aged 65 and older - Essay Example One of the physiological responses to cold, external environments is vasoconstriction. When this takes place, particularly in the elderly, myocardial infarction is a likely event. The purpose of this research paper is to discuss how variations in weather temperatures may be related to the occurrence of myocardial infarctions in individuals over 65. This paper will also seek to identify risk factors and identify the biological mechanisms involved in myocardial infarctions as pertaining to the elderly. Numerous studies have indicated the event of myocardial infarctions in the elderly during colder temperatures based on mortality rates of individuals: â€Å"Seasonality in coronary heart disease (CHD) events, with a winter peak and summer nadir, has been recognized for many decades and across diverse populations† (Gerber, Jacobsen, Killian, Weston, & Roger, 2006). In a study conducted between 1979 and 2002, â€Å"2,066 SCD (48% women) and 2,676 incident MI (43% women) were recorded in Olmsted County. The mean age (SD) was 78 (13) years at SCD and 68 (14) years at incident MI (p As early as 1938, scientists were noting incidence of myocardial infarctions occurring more prominently during times of colder weather conditions. What has been difficult to assess,