Background There is growing evidence in support of a short-term association between ambient temperature and cardiac arrest attacks that is a serious manifestation of cardiovascular disease and has a high incidence and low survival rate. However, it remains unrecognized about the hazardous temperature exposure types, exposure risk magnitude, and vulnerable populations.

Objectives We comprehensively summarize prior epidemiological studies looking at the short-term associations of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) with various temperature exposures among different populations.

Methods We searched PubMed and Web of Science databases from inception to October 2021 for eligible English language. Temperature exposure was categorized into three types: heat (included high temperature, extreme heat, and heatwave), cold (included low temperature and extreme cold), and temperature variation (included diurnal temperature range and temperature change between two adjacent days). Meta-analysis weighted by inverse variance was used to pool effect estimates.

Results This study included 15 studies from 8 countries, totaling around 1 million OHCA events. Extreme heat and extreme cold were significantly associated with an increased risk of OHCA, and the pooled relative risks (RRs) were 1.071 [95 % confidence interval (CI): 1.019–1.126] and 1.662 (95%CI: 1.138–2.427), respectively. The risk of OHCA was also elevated by heatwaves (RR = 1.248, 95%CI: 1.091–1.427) and more intensive heatwaves had a greater effect. Notably, the elderly and males seemed to be more vulnerable to the effects of heat and cold. However, we did not observe a significant association between temperature variation and the risk of OHCA (1.005, 95%CI: 0.999–1.012).

Conclusion Short-term exposure to heat and cold may be novel risk factors for OHCA. Considering available studies in limited regions, the temperature effect on OHCA should be urgently confirmed in different regions.