Natural Disasters Pose Risk to Heart Health

Natural disasters bring more than just immediate danger—they also pose serious risks to heart health, especially for patients managing chronic conditions. Limited access to healthy food, clean water, and medical care only makes things worse. Patients may also struggle with taking their medications on time if pharmacies are closed or prescriptions are lost. Therefore, pharmacists play a crucial role in ensuring continuity of care for heart patients during and after a natural disaster.

The primary challenges include disruption in medication supply and increased demand for essential medications due to heightened health concerns. | Image Credit: Ton Photographer4289

“Since natural disasters can affect pharmacy operations and the drug supply chain, it’s essential to plan ahead,” Casey Greene, PharmD, IFMCP, director of consultative services for ConsultRX in Innsbrook, Virginia, said. “Our pharmacy teams are trained to assist patients with special needs in emergency situations and help them prepare for the unexpected.”

One of the most important strategies, he explained, is to encourage patients to fill a 90-day supply of their essential medications whenever possible. Setting up automatic refills and reminders is another helpful tool to prevent gaps in medication adherence.

Irien Moawad, RPh, president of pharmacy services and compliance at Community Care Rx, a full-service long-term care pharmacy based in Plainview, New York, noted that in emergency situations, adherence to and continuation of care is vital, especially for patients with heart disease.

“Pharmacists can play a responsive role by working with local emergency management teams and health care providers to establish mobile pharmacy units or collaborating with local shelters to distribute essential medications,” she said. “In addition, using technology such as cloud-based medication records can allow pharmacists to access patient profiles and refill prescriptions when physical records are unavailable.”

Proactively identifying vulnerable patients and coordinating early refills or emergency supplies before an anticipated event, such as a hurricane or a blizzard, is another strategy to minimize interruptions to critical medications.

"Natural disasters are unpredictable, but preparing ahead can help protect not only heart health but overall well-being." — Laura Reier, RPH

Kyle Sobko, CEO of SonderCare, has worked as part of an interdisciplinary team with pharmacists during events like wildfires and floodings, where getting medications to patients with cardiac conditions became time sensitive.

“After the Lytton wildfi re [in British Columbia, Canada], one pharmacy we worked with set up a mobile dispensing station in the parking lot of a local school,” he said. “Heart patients were able to obtain [a] 30-day [supply of] medications on just a verbal identification and confirmation by an onsite nurse. That fast-tracking saved more than just time and resources; it kept people out of the hospital.”

Pharmacists Can Counsel Patients

Pharmacists have long been integral to disaster management, and there are numerous opportunities for them to leverage their unique insights, exemplifying their expertise in disaster response and management.

During these times of crisis, pharmacists must remind their patients that taking care of their heart health must remain a top priority.

“Disasters can significantly disrupt routines, access to food, and sleep patterns, and increase stress, all of which impact cardiovascular risk,” Greene said. “We recommend stocking up on healthy groceries when possible, prioritizing daily movement—even a 10-minute walk—managing stress, and sticking to their medication schedule. It’s also important to get quality sleep, which is often overlooked during emergencies but is essential for heart recovery and resilience.”

Pharmacists can encourage early refills before an anticipated disaster to ensure patients have enough supply, work with emergency response teams to set up mobile pharmacies, and coordinate with shelters and leverage emergency prescription refill laws where applicable to help patients obtain their lifesaving medications.

Laura Reier, RPh, a pharmacist at Hidenwood Pharmacy in Newport News, Virginia, noted that staying hydrated, managing stress, and avoiding excessive physical strain can also help protect heart health during these tough times.

“If someone runs out of medication, reaching out to emergency shelters, hospitals, or even local pharmacies that might be operating on limited services can be a lifesaver,” she said. “Even small steps, like keeping a list of prescriptions in a wallet or phone, can make a big difference. Natural disasters are unpredictable, but preparing ahead can help protect not only heart health but overall well-being.”

Increased Stress on Patients

An additional concern for heart patients is the increased stress and worry associated with a natural disaster. The emotional and physical stress of a disaster can trigger high blood pressure, irregular heartbeats, or even heart attacks, especially in those with existing heart conditions.

Studies have shown that after such events, there is often an increase in cases of anxiety and depression, both of which can negatively affect heart health.

Erika Gray, PharmD, founder of ToolBox Genomics, noted that natural disasters can exacerbate existing heart conditions and create new cardiovascular problems, particularly due to the stress and uncertainty they bring.

“Stress is one of the most underestimated cardiovascular risk factors, especially in the context of natural disasters,” she said. “Acute stress spikes cortisol levels, which in turn can elevate blood pressure and heart rate and even trigger cardiac events in vulnerable individuals.”

For instance, after Hurricane Katrina, research showed a 3-fold increase in heart attacks in affected areas.

“Pharmacists can help patients understand that managing stress is just as important as managing blood pressure or cholesterol,” Greene said. “This includes building in daily practices like mindfulness and gentle movement and ensuring adequate sleep.”

Biggest Challenges From Natural Disasters

A natural disaster creates many issues for pharmacies and their patients. The primary challenges include disruption in medication supply and increased demand for essential medications due to heightened health concerns.

Since many patients face difficulty accessing health care, pharmacists can partner with telehealth services to provide remote consultations, assist in locating alternative pharmacies when regular ones are closed, and guide patients on how to safely ration medications in worst-case scenarios while seeking proper care.

Further, the psychological impact of living through a disaster often manifests as increased blood pressure and heart rate, which can escalate cardiovascular risk. Furthermore, the crowded living conditions in shelters or temporary housing can lead to infections or illnesses that stress the heart.

Additionally, pharmacies may face logistical challenges in accessing their inventory, managing staffing shortages, and ensuring the safety of both employees and patients during therecovery phase.

“These disruptions can quickly destabilize a patient’s condition,” Greene said. “Our pharmacists also support patients with personalized supplement plans, diet advice, and lifestyle strategies. We collaborate with their physicians to adjust care plans as needed and maintain continuity of care through our consultative services—even when standard routines are upended.”

In addition to maintaining at least a 90-day supply of critical heart medications, including blood pressure medications, blood thinners, fluid reducers, and cholesterol-lowering agents, pharmacists recommend that people store their medications in waterproof, easily accessible containers.

Patients should also prepare a checklist of health essentials, such as medications, supplements, a blood pressure monitor, medical records, and physician contacts.

“It’s important that people keep to a basic fitness routine, even during disruptions,” Greene said. “Movement is medicine.”

Conclusion

Disasters do not just impact health in the short term—they can have lingering effects. Research shows that after hurricanes, tornadoes, and other unexpected disasters, there are increased cases of hypertension and cardiac events due to prolonged stress and lifestyle disruptions.

After all, these events are associated with delayed care and medication nonadherence, leading to worsening conditions. There’s also a higher risk of blood clot formation, particularly in those who are immobilized for extended periods. Keep in mind that even when a natural disaster is over, in many cases, the effects can linger long after the event.

“Chronic stress, poor diet, and disrupted care during a crisis can lead to long-term deterioration in heart health,” Greene said. “Some patients develop anxiety-related symptoms that overlap with heart conditions, and distinguishing between the two becomes important. In our practice, we follow up closely with patients post-disaster to reassess their health markers and emotional well-being. Most importantly, we listen. Compassionate, proactive care helps patients get back on track and stay there.”