Extreme Heat May Accelerate Aging in Older Adults
In Cities with High Temperatures, Residents Enduring a High Degree of Additional Biological Aging
By Evaristo Lara, Huella Zero
A study conducted by the Leonard Davis School of Gerontology at the University of Southern California (USC) found evidence that people exposed to high temperatures age faster compared to those living in colder places.
The results were published in the journal Science Advances and serve as a warning to governments around the world where temperatures have been rising as a result of climate change. They highlighted the need to address the problem before the population experiences increased levels of premature aging.
Experts discovered that heat waves may be impairing people’s bodily processes at the molecular level and impacting their long-term health.
Specifically, if biological age (a measure of how the body ages) exceeds chronological age (the number of years since birth), the body becomes increasingly vulnerable to disease and even death.
As part of the research, data were analyzed from more than 3,600 participants aged 56 and older in the University of Michigan’s Health and Retirement Study, which assesses the health status of a representative sample of more than 20,000 older Americans.
To do this, blood samples taken at various locations across the country during the six-year study period were reviewed.
The study involved detecting changes in the way individual genes are turned on and off, known as epigenetic changes.
Once the biological ages were determined at each time the blood samples were collected, the changes in biological age were then compared to heat records of the participant’s residence obtained through the National Weather Service.
The results, when cross-referencing the data, showed that living in areas of extreme heat negatively impacts adults.
The study warns that people should exercise “caution” when heat index values range between 80°F and 90°F; “extreme caution” when they exceed 90°F and reach 103°F; and “danger” when they rise above 103°F.
In a statement, Eunyoung Choi, a USC postdoctoral researcher in gerontology and lead author of the research, issued a warning to residents of areas of intense heat.
“People who lived in ‘extreme caution’ areas, like Phoenix, endure up to 14 months of additional biological aging compared to their peers who live in areas with fewer than 10 hot days per year. Just because you live in an area with more hot days, you are aging biologically faster,” he said.
Keys to protecting yourself:
1. Stay in air-conditioned spaces: this is the main defense against heat-related illnesses. If air conditioning is not available at home, it is recommended to spend time in shopping malls, libraries, or public shelters with air conditioning.
2. Stay hydrated: It is essential to drink more water than usual and not wait until you are thirsty to hydrate. Older adults should consult their doctor if they have fluid restrictions.
3. Wear appropriate, lightweight clothing: Wearing loose, lightweight, and light-colored clothing helps keep your body cool.
4. Avoid using fans exclusively in high temperatures: Do not rely solely on fans as your primary source of cooling when the outside temperature is very high.
5. Be alert for signs of heat exhaustion: If you experience any signs of heat exhaustion, such as dizziness, weakness, or confusion, seek immediate medical attention.
