Weather and Heart Rate: Understanding The Weather-Heart Connection

Ever notice your fitness tracker showing different heart rates on sunny days versus gloomy ones? Well, that weather-heart connection isn't all in your head. Scientists have been uncovering some fascinating links between our cardiovascular system and what's happening outside of our windows (1,2,3).

Barometric Pressure and Storm Stress

When the barometer drops, your body notices. Changes in atmospheric pressure can affect your blood pressure and heart rate, especially during those quick weather shifts that come with approaching storms. Some people are so sensitive to these changes they can "feel" bad weather coming before the clouds roll in (2).

When it comes to thunderstorms – the falling pressure, wild temperature fluctuations, and surges in humidity come together in one perfect storm of cardiovascular stress. This is likely why studies have recorded minor upticks in heart-related hospital admissions during these extreme weather events (1).