Key result
2020 US presidential election linked to ~17% increase in acute cardiovascular hospitalizations post-election.
Why the study?
Prior studies showed higher acute CVD risk around population-wide stressors, but less is known regarding acute CVD risk related to political events.
Does exposure to the 2020 US presidential election increase hospitalizations for acute cardiovascular conditions in adults?
Cohort (n=6,396,830)
Yes
Does exposure to the 2020 US presidential election increase hospitalizations for acute cardiovascular conditions in adults?
The 2020 US presidential election was associated with a 17% higher rate of acute cardiovascular hospitalizations, driven primarily by acute myocardial infarction, in the 5 days following the event.
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
May warrant vigilance for acute CVD around elections; extends prior stressor observations but leaves open causality and generalizability.
Importance: Prior studies found a higher risk of acute cardiovascular disease (CVD) around population-wide psychosocial or environmental stressors. Less is known about acute CVD risk in relation to political events. Objective: To examine acute CVD hospitalizations following the 2020 presidential election. Design, Setting, and Participants: This retrospective cohort study examined acute CVD hospitalizations following the 2020 presidential election. Participants were adult members aged 18 years or older at Kaiser Permanente Southern California and Kaiser Permanente Northern California, 2 large, integrated health care delivery systems. Statistical analysis was performed from March to July 2021. Exposure: 2020 US presidential election. Main Outcomes and Measures: Hospitalizations for acute CVD around the 2020 presidential election were examined. CVD was defined as hospitalizations for acute myocardial infarction (AMI), heart failure (HF), or stroke. Rate ratios (RR) and 95% CIs were calculated comparing rates of CVD hospitalization in the 5 days following the 2020 election with the same 5-day period 2 weeks prior. Results: Among 6 396 830 adults (3 970 077 [62.1%] aged 18 to 54 years; 3 422 479 [53.5%] female; 1 083 128 [16.9%] Asian/Pacific Islander, 2 101 367 [32.9%] Hispanic, and 2 641 897 [41.3%] White), rates of hospitalization for CVD following the election (666 hospitalizations; rate = 760.5 per 100 000 person-years [PY]) were 1.17 times higher (95% CI, 1.05-1.31) compared with the same 5-day period 2 weeks prior (569 hospitalizations; rate = 648.0 per 100 000 PY). Rates of AMI were significantly higher following the election (RR, 1.42; 95% CI, 1.13-1.79). No significant difference was found for stroke (RR, 1.02; 95% CI, 0.86-1.21) or HF (RR, 1.18; 95% CI, 0.98-1.42). Conclusions and Relevance: Higher rates of acute CVD hospitalization were observed following the 2020 presidential election. Awareness of the heightened risk of CVD and strategies to mitigate risk during notable political events are needed.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Mefford et al. (2022) conducted a cohort in Acute cardiovascular conditions (n=6,396,830). 2020 US presidential election vs. Same 5-day period 2 weeks prior was evaluated on Hospitalizations for acute cardiovascular disease (RR 1.17, 95% CI 1.05-1.31). The 2020 US presidential election was associated with a 17% higher rate of hospitalizations for acute cardiovascular disease in the 5 days following the election compared to 2 weeks prior.
Synapse has enriched 10 related papers. Consider them for comparative context: