After the L.A. fires, heart attacks and strange blood test results spiked
December 18, 2025

(Los Angeles Times) – In the first 90 days after the Palisades and Eaton fires erupted in January, the caseload at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center’s emergency room looked different from the norm.
There were 46% more visits for heart attacks than typically occured during the same time period over the previous seven years. Visits for respiratory illnesses increased 24%. And unusual blood test results increased 118%.
These findings were reported in a new study published Wednesday in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. (Read More)