A recent study published in Communications Medicine reveals a link between geomagnetic disturbances caused by solar activity and an increased incidence of heart attacks, especially among women, based on data from São José dos Campos, Brazil, between 1998 and 2005.

While men generally experience nearly twice as many heart attacks regardless of geomagnetic conditions, women aged 31 to 60 face a significantly higher risk—up to three times more—during geomagnetic disturbances, highlighting a gender-specific vulnerability.

This Brazilian research, along with other recent studies, underscores the need for further investigation into how solar and geomagnetic activity may influence cardiovascular health and disease prevention.

The potential effects of space weather extend beyond technological disruptions, possibly impacting human health by influencing physiological processes related to cardiovascular risk.

Experts emphasize the importance of larger, multi-region datasets and detailed patient information to better understand who is most at risk during geomagnetic disturbances, paving the way for targeted public health strategies.

Monitoring space weather alerts, such as those from the Space Weather Prediction Center, and advising individuals with existing heart conditions to take precautions during geomagnetic storms could be crucial components of healthcare planning.

Previous research supports a connection between geomagnetic activity and changes in heart rate variability, a key marker of cardiovascular health, suggesting space weather may influence human health.

Geomagnetic disturbances, caused by solar wind impacting Earth's magnetosphere, can affect satellite communications and GPS, and may influence blood pressure, heart rate, and circadian rhythms, although the exact mechanisms remain unclear.

External electromagnetic variations during geomagnetic disturbances might influence heart rhythms, which are electrical in nature, potentially triggering cardiac events in vulnerable individuals.

Further research is needed to confirm these findings, explore underlying causes, and develop public health strategies, especially for women and those with pre-existing heart conditions.

Studies from 2018, 2022, and 2023 have observed that geomagnetic disturbances can alter heart rate variability and may be associated with increased cardiovascular risks across different populations, though causality has not been definitively established.

While the current observational study cannot prove causality, its findings align with the hypothesis that geomagnetic activity could impact cardiovascular health, particularly in susceptible groups.

A meta-analysis by Russian scientists confirmed the influence of geomagnetic storms on the risk of myocardial infarction, acute coronary syndrome, and stroke, emphasizing the need for more comprehensive research to understand the mechanisms involved.