SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Cardiovascular Events During Us Presidential Elections

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This study examined whether U.S. presidential elections act as acute psychological stressors that trigger cardiovascular events. Using UC Health data, researchers analyzed adult emergency department and inpatient visits across the 2016, 2020, and 2024 election cycles. They compared a 15-day election risk window (7 days before through 7 days after Election Day) with matched control periods using a difference-in-differences design and Poisson regression.<br /><br />The study assessed hemorrhagic stroke, ischemic stroke, myocardial infarction (MI), life-threatening arrhythmias, and ruptured aneurysm, while also testing whether common comorbidities modified risk. These comorbidities included coronary artery disease (CAD), hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, chronic kidney disease (CKD), and smoking.<br /><br />Overall, most cardiovascular outcomes did not increase significantly during election periods. The main exception was hemorrhagic stroke, which showed a significant population-level rise. Risk was especially elevated in smokers and in patients with CAD or CKD. Smokers had about a six-fold increase in hemorrhagic stroke risk, and those with pre-existing CAD also had roughly doubled risk. Ruptured aneurysm showed a possible increase, but this was only suggestive.<br /><br />Ischemic stroke appeared to follow a seasonal pattern rather than an election-specific one. MI and life-threatening arrhythmias were stable overall, though MI risk increased in patients with multiple metabolic risk factors such as diabetes, hyperlipidemia, CKD, and smoking. Atrial fibrillation/flutter rose during election periods, but this did not correlate with ischemic stroke timing.<br /><br />The authors conclude that election-related cardiovascular effects are selective rather than broad. High-risk patients, especially smokers and those with CAD or CKD, may benefit from anticipatory counseling around election periods.

Asset Subtitle

Brandon Ehrlich

Meta Tag

Author List Brandon Ehrlich, Faris Halaseh, Khalid Namoos, Rami Halaseh, Roxana Ghashghaei, Suraj Rajan

Category Research

Concept United States Presidential Election

Concept Cardiovascular Emergency

Concept Hemorrhagic Stroke

Concept Psychological Stress

Concept Cardiovascular Outcomes

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization Georgetown School of Medicine

Presenting Author Brandon Ehrlich

Track Outcomes Research

Keywords

U.S. presidential elections

cardiovascular events

hemorrhagic stroke

ischemic stroke

myocardial infarction

arrhythmias

difference-in-differences

Poisson regression

smoking risk

coronary artery disease

United States Presidential Election

Cardiovascular Emergency

Hemorrhagic Stroke

Psychological Stress

Cardiovascular Outcomes