A recent study led by UArctic Chair and professor Tiina Ikäheimo from UiT The Arctic University of Norway and University of Oulu revealed that individuals with Type 2 diabetes (T2D) and hypertension exhibit reduced cardiovascular responses when exposed to extreme temperatures. The findings, published in Frontiers in Physiology, highlight the challenges faced by people with T2D in regulating their blood pressure, heart rate, and skin blood flow during both cold and heat exposure.
The study involved 20 participants aged on average 63 years, including 10 individuals with T2D and hypertension and 10 healthy controls. Participants were exposed to cold (10°C) and heat (40°C) for 90 minutes in controlled laboratory conditions and where their blood pressure, heart rate and skin blood flow were measured. The results showed that individuals with T2D had a blunted increase in blood pressure and heart rate during cold exposure and a reduced ability to increase heart rate and skin blood flow during heat exposure compared with those without T2D. These findings suggest that people with T2D may have a diminished capacity to adapt to extreme temperatures, increasing their risk of cold- or heat-related health complications.
This research is particularly relevant to Arctic populations, where in addition to climate warming, a higher variability and extreme weather are expected to occur more frequently with the changing climate. Diabetes is a growing world-wide health challenge, also involving Arctic populations. In addition, many people with T2D are a part of working life and where outdoor exposure to cold or heat can involve increased health risks. Understanding how vulnerable populations respond to temperature extremes is crucial for developing strategies to protect their health.
The study underscores the importance of raising awareness among healthcare providers and individuals with T2D about the potential risks of extreme weather. It also highlights the need to further explore how these findings can inform public health policies and improve resilience in Arctic communities.
Here you can find a link to original publication.