Abstract P126: The 2020 Us Presidential Election, Sociopolitical Stress And Acute Cardiovascular Disease Hospitalizations

Abstract

Background: Prior studies demonstrated a higher risk of acute cardiovascular disease (CVD) around population-wide psychosocial or environmental stressors. Less is known about the impact of sociopolitical events. The objective of the current study was to examine acute CVD hospitalizations following the 2020 presidential election. Methods: We examined hospitalizations for acute CVD around the 2020 presidential election, among adults enrolled in Kaiser Permanente Southern and Northern California, two integrated health care delivery systems that provide care for >9 million persons. CVD was defined as hospitalizations for acute myocardial infarction (AMI), heart failure (HF) or stroke. Rate ratios (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated comparing rates in the five days following the 2020 election to the same five days two weeks prior. Results: Among 6,396,830 members ≥18 years, rates of hospitalization for CVD following the election (666 hospitalizations; rate = 760.5 per 100,00 person-years [PY]) were 1.17 times higher (95% CI 1.05, 1.31) compared to the same five days two weeks prior (569 hospitalizations; rate = 648.0 per 100,000 PY). (Table) RR for AMI, stroke, and HF were 1.42 (95% CI 1.13, 1.79), 1.02 (95% CI 0.86, 1.21) and 1.18 (95% CI 0.98, 1.42), respectively. Conclusions: Higher rates of acute CVD were observed following the 2020 presidential election. Awareness of the heightened risk of CVD and strategies to mitigate risk during significant sociopolitical events are needed.