Earthquake-induced cardiovascular disease and related risk factors in focusing on the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake.

The major earthquake increases cardiovascular disease during the period from night-time to morning, especially in the elderly patients living around the epicenter. Earthquake-induced stress increased BP and blood viscosity determinants, and enhanced fibrin turnover with endothelial cell stimulation in a group of hypertensive elderly subjects. Earthquake might trigger the cardiovascular events through the potentiation of these acute risk factors. Reduction of stress and related acute risk factors in this period may suppress cardiovascular deaths following a major earthquake. Further investigation of the mechanisms triggering cardiovascular events after the a major event such as a major earthquake is a necessary part of the strategy for the prevention of cardiovascular disease.