Do seasonal variations affect heart failure morbidity and mortality?

We examined seasonal variations in heart failure-related morbidity and mortality from 1990 to 1996 in the Scottish population. We found marked winter peaks in both hospitalizations and deaths, especially in the elderly. We also explored the potential mechanisms of these variations and factors that may exacerbate heart failure during winter. Our data suggest increased vigilance is needed when treating heart failure patients in the winter months, and they provide impetus for specific strategies to combat this costly phenomenon.