Temperature Exposure and Heart Failure: Understanding the Exposure–Response Relationship

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In a national Medicare sample of adults aged 65 years or older, moderate cold was associated with 16% higher odds of HF hospitalization and extreme cold with 12% higher odds.
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Associations between cold exposure and HF hospitalization varied by region, while estimates for extreme heat were imprecise and generally crossed the null.
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Daily mean temperature and adjustment for relative humidity may not capture physiologically relevant heat exposure and could contribute to imprecise heat estimates.
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A fixed reference temperature of 75 °F limits direct comparison of regional estimates; the authors recommend future studies use region-specific minimum morbidity temperatures.
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The authors identify housing, heating assistance, and targeted health education as structural approaches to reducing older adults’ exposure to cold.

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