A controlled experiment with healthy young and older adults, as well as older adults with coronary artery disease, demonstrated that passive heat exposure significantly increases myocardial blood flow in all participants. This exposure led to asymptomatic heat-induced myocardial ischemia in some CAD patients. The findings underscore the need for these individuals to minimize cardiac strain during extreme heat conditions.

A study reveals that heat exposure boosts myocardial blood flow and induces ischemia in some with coronary artery disease, suggesting high-risk individuals should avoid excessive heat. Researchers conducted a laboratory-controlled experiment including both healthy adults and adults with coronary artery disease (CAD). The results showed that passive heat exposure was enough to increase myocardial blood flow (MBF) in all participants, regardless of age and health status, creating significant stress on the heart.

The scientists observed asymptomatic heat-induced myocardial ischemia in some participants with CAD, suggesting that these adults may benefit from minimizing cardiac strain during extreme heat by staying cool. The study was published today (June 10) in Annals of Internal Medicine. Experimental Design and Participant Demographics Researchers from the Montreal Heart Institute conducted an experimental study comprised of 20 healthy young adults, 21 healthy older adults, and 20 older adults with CAD to quantify the MBF requirements of heat exposure.

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