Abstract
Aim: To investigate the effects of temperature exposure on the incidence of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases in Zhanjiang, a subtropical coastal city in China.
Methods: We analyzed hospitalization data from 2009 to 2023 using generalized additive models (GAMs) and distributed lag nonlinear models (DLNMs) to examine the exposure-response relationships and lagged effects of daily maximum temperature on stroke (CVA), acute coronary syndrome (ACS), and acute aortic syndrome (AAS).
Results: Distinct temperature-associated risk patterns were observed for each disease type. ACS showed the strongest association, with significant risk increases at 1-day (relative risk [RR] = 1.19) and 5-day lags (RR = 1.12). The risk of CVA was moderately elevated at lower temperatures (22.7℃; RR = 1.08), whereas AAS exhibited a delayed peak at 5 days (RR = 1.29).
Conclusions: These subtropical patterns differ from those reported in temperate regions. Our findings support climate-specific warnings: namely, multi-day monitoring for CVA at lower temperatures, immediate and sustained alerts for ACS, and focused surveillance approximately 5 days after exposure for AAS.
