Analysis of hospital data from São José dos Campos, Brazil, between 1998 and 2005 reveals surprising correlations between geomagnetic disturbances and myocardial infarctions.
Researchers examined 1,340 cases of hospitalization for heart attacks, cross-referencing this information with the planetary Kp index that measures variations in Earth's magnetic field. This period corresponded to a particularly intense peak in solar activity, providing ideal conditions to observe the effects of magnetic storms on the human body.
Men and women are not equal in this regard. While men generally have more heart attacks overall, women show a significant relative increase during days of high geomagnetic agitation. In the 31-60 age group, this relative frequency can reach up to three times the level observed during calm periods. This difference in vulnerability opens new perspectives in understanding the interactions between the space environment and human biology.
The physiological mechanisms explaining this increased female sensitivity remain to be elucidated. Hypotheses suggest changes in blood pressure, heart rate, and circadian rhythms under the influence of magnetic disturbances. The female cardiovascular system might react differently to electromagnetic variations, possibly due to hormonal differences or particularities in autonomic nervous system regulation. These fundamental questions require further investigation to be understood.
The forecasting of geomagnetic storms represents an important challenge for future public health. The Sun undergoes activity cycles of approximately eleven years. The Brazilian National Institute for Space Research maintains a real-time monitoring site for these phenomena. If the correlation is confirmed, warning systems could one day help cardiac patients prepare for periods of high magnetic activity.
This study calls for caution in interpreting the results. Researchers emphasize the preliminary nature of their observations and the need to reproduce this work on a larger scale. The objective is not to fuel concerns but to deepen our knowledge of environmental influences on health, through a rigorous and measured scientific approach.