Warming temperatures may be taking a toll on older adults. New research has linked extreme heat exposure to a higher epigenetic age, indicating that climate change could be accelerating the aging process. Understanding how heat affects the human body can help humans better prepare as the planet's temperatures continue to warm.

New research reveals residents in America's hottest cities may age 14 months faster biologically. Discover which 6 cities show the most dramatic effects.

Extreme heat can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, affect mental health and worsen asthma. And those negative health effects are particularly dangerous to elderly people: Now, a new study suggests extreme heat could even alter the DNA of older adults and accelerate biological aging.

Fact checked by Nick Blackmer A new study found that adults ages 56 and older who lived in areas with more heat waves had accelerated biological aging.Biological age refers to the age of your cells, not the amount of time that has passed since your birth.