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  Excess winter deaths?

  It appears true (see the British Medical Journal 2001 article by Annabel Ferriman).  In England (and New Zealand) 10's of thousands of mostly elderly people die in the winter.  This appears to be a problem that does not depend on income, but does depend on indoor temperature.  It is also linked to outdoor temperature, but improves on rainy days, suggesting that the issue is exposure to cold (folks stay inside on rainy days).  

  As an American physician, this surprised me so I did some reading on it.  Interestingly, it turns out there is little central heating in New Zealand, and the same is true of older British housing.  As most of the deaths are related to cardiac problems, the reasons for the excess deaths apparently are related to increased blood pressure in cold environments (see webMD) and increased strain on the circulatory system (increased oxygen demand for example).

  So, as much as I hate to say it (as I keep my own house around 63 F (or 17.2 C) day and night - the bedrooms are at 59 F (14 C)) anyone suffering from high blood pressure and elderly people with possible heart problems should be cautious with the thermostat advice above.  They can still save on heating costs with insulation, and insulate their bodies wearing wool and/or synthetics, possibly a wool cap in the house,  and using a sleeping bag at night.On Umbra on turning down the heat posted 11 months, 3 weeks ago 21 Responses