With high temperatures expected in the coming days, Ambulance Victoria (AV) paramedics are urging Victorians to stay cool to avoid heat-related chest pains, and other related illnesses.
A recent study supported by Ambulance Victoria found an increased risk of chest pain presentations with heat exposure, especially among younger patients and patients of lower socioeconomic status.
Researchers from AV, Monash University, The Alfred Hospital, Royal Melbourne Hospital and the Baker Institute assessed the impact of high and low temperatures on chest pain presentations.
AV Director Research and Evaluation Ziad Nehme says acute chest pain accounts for around one in 10 calls for an ambulance.
“We know that young patients between 18 and 49 years old, and patients of lower socioeconomic status are at greater risk for heat-related chest pain presentations.”
The study was based on more than 206,000 adult patients attended by AV for acute non-traumatic chest pain within 100km of Melbourne between 1 July 2015 and 30 June 2019.
For more information visit www.ambulance.vic.gov.au/heat-health.
