Associations of coronary and stroke mortality with temperature and snowfall in selected areas of the United States, 1962-1966.

Daily temperatures and snowfall were related to coronary and stroke deaths in selected standard metropolitan statistical areas for the 5-year period 1962-1966. Typically an inverse approximately linear pattern of coronary heart disease (CHD) and of stroke mortality with temperature was seen over the greater part of the temperature range, with mortality reaching a low for days with average Fahrenheit temperatures in the 60's and 70's (15.6-26.6 C), and then rising sharply at higher temperatures. Snowfall was found to be associated with higher CHD and stroke mortality for a 5-, or 6-day period. Temperatures 1 and 2 days prior to death were also found to be associated with deaths from CHD and stroke. Very hot days appeared to exert a cumulative effect upon mortality in many of the areas.