Influence of geomagnetic disturbances on myocardial infarctions in women and men from Brazil

Communications Medicine (London) · 2025 · Harm · Low evidence

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HarmLow evidencePaper 2626

Study snapshot

PublicationCommunications Medicine (London) · 2025

Study typecohort

Reported directionHarm

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Category: Epidemiology Institution: Not specified Tags: geomagnetic disturbances, myocardial infarction, space weather, cardiovascular health, sex differences, Brazil, public health DOI: 10.1038/s43856-025-00887-7 URL: pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov Overview Understanding the health impacts of space weather, specifically Geomagnetic Disturbances (GMDs) caused by solar activity, remains a significant scientific question. One emerging connection involves the role of space weather in the occurrence of myocardial infarctions (MI). Methods Researchers utilized a public health database from São José dos Campos, Brazil, analyzing MI admissions between 1998-2005 (871 men and 469 women). Patients were divided into three age groups: 30 and younger, 31-60, and over 60. The Planetary Index (Kp) was used to indicate geomagnetic fluctuations, categorized as quiet, moderate, or disturbed. Both statistical counting and the unsupervised K-Means clustering method were used, considering age, sex, and geomagnetic conditions. Findings - Geomagnetic disturbances significantly impact MI incidence, especially in women. - The relative frequency of MI during disturbed geomagnetic conditions is almost three times higher than during quiet periods. - K-Means clustering analysis further confirmed a higher incidence of MIs in women exposed to disturbed geomagnetic conditions. Conclusion These results provide new evidence that women, in particular, may be more susceptible to myocardial infarction triggered by geomagnetic disturbances caused by solar activity. This strengthens the link between electromagnetic field changes in the environment and cardiovascular health, with a notable sex-specific effect.

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AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typecohort

Effect directionharm

PopulationMyocardial infarction admissions in São José dos Campos, Brazil (men and women; age groups ≤30, 31–60, >60)

Sample size1340

ExposureELF · Geomagnetic conditions (Kp index) during MI admissions, 1998–2005

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Using MI admissions data (1998–2005) and geomagnetic activity categorized by Kp index (quiet/moderate/disturbed), the study reports higher relative frequency of MI during disturbed geomagnetic conditions compared with quiet periods, with a stronger association in women. K-means clustering similarly indicated higher MI incidence in women under disturbed geomagnetic conditions.

Outcomes measured

Myocardial infarction incidence/admissions

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "cohort",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": "geomagnetic disturbances (space weather)",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "Geomagnetic conditions (Kp index) during MI admissions, 1998–2005"
  },
  "population": "Myocardial infarction admissions in São José dos Campos, Brazil (men and women; age groups ≤30, 31–60, >60)",
  "sample_size": 1340,
  "outcomes": [
    "Myocardial infarction incidence/admissions"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Using MI admissions data (1998–2005) and geomagnetic activity categorized by Kp index (quiet/moderate/disturbed), the study reports higher relative frequency of MI during disturbed geomagnetic conditions compared with quiet periods, with a stronger association in women. K-means clustering similarly indicated higher MI incidence in women under disturbed geomagnetic conditions.",
  "effect_direction": "harm",
  "limitations": [],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "geomagnetic disturbances",
    "space weather",
    "Kp index",
    "myocardial infarction",
    "cardiovascular health",
    "sex differences",
    "Brazil",
    "epidemiology",
    "k-means clustering"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "who-icnirp",
      "weight": 0.2,
      "reason": "Environmental EMF-related epidemiology touching on health impacts of electromagnetic field changes (geomagnetic activity)."
    }
  ]
}

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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: 10.1038/s43856-025-00887-7
PubMed: Not supplied

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