The migratory retirement population is large in scale
Currently, the elderly population aged 60 and above has reached 310 million nationwide, with over half being young-old adults aged 60-69. Health tourism trips are projected to reach 190 million by 2025, indicating the rise of a large migratory retirement population. This model is not simple relocation but seasonal sojourning centered on long-term health maintenance, typically following "winter south for warmth, summer north for coolness" migration patterns, with 1-2 annual migrations lasting approximately one season. The winter southward migration peak occurs from November to January, while summer northward return mostly happens from June to August.
With improved living standards and transportation, migratory retirement has begun to break through the traditional "Northeast-South" pattern and expand nationwide. In 2025, the Retirement Industry Research Team of Shanghai Jiao Tong University Industry Research Institute released "winter cold avoidance" and "summer heat avoidance" city rankings based on 17 indicators including temperature, medical conditions, elderly care environment, and average life expectancy: Haikou, Nanning, and Sanya ranked as top winter choices due to suitable temperatures and supporting services, followed by Zhuhai, Guangzhou, and Fuzhou; for summer, Liupanshui, Kunming, and Guiyang took the top three spots, with "established" summer resort cities like Dalian, Qingdao, Harbin, and Yantai also ranking in the top ten.
Kang Lin, Director of Geriatrics at Peking Union Medical College Hospital, told Life Times that the key to relocation retirement lies in "climate therapy" – using suitable climates to regulate physical and mental health, particularly beneficial for elderly patients with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, rheumatism, and asthma. For instance, northern winters are cold and prone to inducing hypertension and coronary heart disease, making a move south an effective way to avoid such triggers. Additionally, sensory experiences from new environments can effectively improve mood and free elderly life from the constraints of a single setting.
Kang Lin stated that regardless of migration type, migratory retirement represents a positive attitude toward aging, meaning elderly individuals no longer passively stay at home but actively choose a lifestyle with higher health aspirations.
Be wary of turning happy into "sad"
However, contrary to common perception, the "Chinese Expert Consensus on Clinical Management of Elderly Migration-related Blood Pressure Variability (2025 Edition)" (hereinafter referred to as "Consensus") recently published in the Chinese Journal of Geriatrics has issued a health warning to the "migratory bird" population. Most "migratory birds" are over 60 years old, coinciding with the high incidence period for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, metabolic diseases, and tumors. They travel to warmer places to avoid cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease onset, yet Zheng Yin, Vice President of Hainan Cancer Hospital and Chief Physician of Cardiology, told reporters that elderly "migratory birds" account for approximately 70% of winter clinical admissions due to sudden environmental changes triggering health risks.
Migration triggers blood pressure fluctuations. The Consensus notes that short-term blood pressure fluctuations caused by cross-climate zone migration are closely related to environmental factors and lifestyle changes, typically appearing within one month of migration and partially or completely resolving within weeks to months. Studies confirm that elderly "migratory birds" experience significant blood pressure fluctuations within one week of arriving in Hainan, with average decreases of 15 mmHg in systolic blood pressure and 9 mmHg in diastolic blood pressure after one month. The Consensus indicates that the first week post-migration is the acute stress period for blood pressure fluctuations, with stabilization occurring after one month.
Myocardial infarction presents with severe conditions and poor prognosis. Short-term temperature fluctuations are an important factor in acute myocardial infarction among "migratory bird" populations, with a temperature difference exceeding 9.4°C in the 1-2 days before onset significantly increasing risk.
Currently, it is the "southward migration" season for "migratory elderly". For cardiovascular health, increased temperatures cause excessive sweating, leading to decreased blood volume and blood concentration, increasing thrombosis risk while reducing effective circulating blood volume, thereby increasing the heart's workload. A recent joint study by the First Medical Center of the People's Liberation Army General Hospital and other institutions showed that compared to local Hainan residents with myocardial infarction, "migratory populations" who experience myocardial infarction typically do so within an average of 3 days, with younger patients, more severe conditions, and poorer prognosis. Importantly, the average time from acute myocardial infarction onset to first medical contact exceeds 6 hours, missing the optimal treatment window.
Cerebrovascular risk is high within one week. Epidemiological data shows migration-related cerebral infarction predominantly occurs in autumn and winter, with patients typically developing symptoms within one week of arrival, 97.7% within four days, and peak incidence on day three. Diabetes, cerebral artery stenosis, or occlusion are major risk factors. Low pre-migration mean arterial pressure and increased blood pressure fluctuations before and after migration promote cerebral infarction. Significant short-term environmental temperature fluctuations (exceeding 30°C before and after migration), 2/4 insufficient water intake during travel, and increased sweating after arriving in Hainan are important contributing factors.
Additionally, differing sunshine durations between north and south may affect hormone secretion such as adrenaline, triggering blood pressure fluctuations; elderly "south migrants" entering high-temperature environments may experience autonomic nervous system dysfunction, causing vasoconstriction during sleep and nighttime hypertension, increasing acute cardiovascular and cerebrovascular event risk; dietary habits and air pollution can also affect blood pressure.
"Safe" Migration in Stages
Moving from north to south tends to lower blood pressure, while south to north migration often increases blood pressure, requiring targeted health protection adjustments. From pre-departure preparation to post-arrival adaptation, implementing scientific protection in stages according to the Consensus is essential to safeguard cardiovascular and cerebrovascular safety.
Precise planning before migration is essential. When using a sojourn agency to plan trips, verify business licenses and elderly care service qualifications, and avoid one-time high prepayments. When determining stay duration, Zheng Yin notes that sojourn duration and blood pressure control show an inverted U-shaped relationship, recommending stays of at least 1 month, preferably 7 months, to allow full environmental adaptation while maximizing sojourn benefits.
After determining the destination, migration is recommended when the temperature difference between locations is less than 10°C (maximum 30°C) to reduce vascular stimulation from sudden temperature changes; research local medical resources in advance and prioritize accommodations within 3 kilometers of a tertiary hospital or geriatric specialist hospital. Kang Lin adds that residence selection should match individual needs: elderly with limited mobility should focus on transportation and accessibility; respiratory patients on air quality; outdoor enthusiasts on nearby parks and trails; and socially-oriented seniors on local cultural activities.
Complete comprehensive physical examination before departure. 1-2 weeks before departure, gradually adjust indoor temperature at a daily gradient of 0.5-1℃ to approach the destination's average daily temperature. Simultaneously, complete comprehensive physical examination including blood pressure, blood glucose, lipids, homocysteine, electrocardiogram, and cerebrovascular assessment, with focus on ambulatory blood pressure monitoring to confirm health status; prepare health information card with name, age, blood pressure, blood glucose, medical history, allergies, medication list, and emergency contact information. Elderly on long-term medication should reserve medications based on "sojourn duration + 7-day buffer", plus carry-on medical kit with emergency medications like nitroglycerin, cold medicine, antidiarrheals, motion sickness pills, and bandages; those using assistive devices like sleep ventilators should carry them properly. Remember to register in the "Out-of-town Medical Treatment 3/4 Registration" module on the "National Medical Insurance Service Platform" to avoid reimbursement issues.
Maintain activity levels during travel. Kang Lin emphasizes elderly should prioritize comfortable, stable transportation and avoid crowded, bumpy options to save money. Patients with untreated severe intracranial or extracranial cerebrovascular stenosis or occlusion are not recommended to fly or migrate across climate zones. During long flights, stand and perform leg stretches and ankle pumps every 1-2 hours; on long trains or buses, walk in the aisle, especially for venous thrombosis patients. More importantly, stay hydrated and do not avoid drinking water due to restroom concerns to prevent blood viscosity; keep emergency medications in easily accessible pockets or backpack side compartments.
Transition slowly after arrival. Zheng Yin warns that days 3-5 after arrival are a high-risk period for myocardial infarction, requiring close monitoring of blood pressure changes within one week. Avoid prolonged hot spring soaks or strenuous activities like mountain climbing and swimming for three days, and dress according to the principle of "comfortable and no obvious sweating". Maintain usual dietary structure and avoid excessive consumption of local specialty foods like high-sugar pastries and seafood to reduce gastrointestinal burden; daily fluid intake of at least 1500-2000ml is recommended. Ensure 7-9 hours of sleep and avoid staying up late or waking early to rush the itinerary. Even if conditions improve, never reduce or discontinue medication without medical advice; for mild blood pressure elevation, observe for 1-2 days, and seek medical attention promptly if persistently high.
Expert Introduction
Zheng Yin, Chief Physician
Vice President, Professor
Master's Supervisor, US-trained Scholar
Outstanding Contributing Expert of Hainan Province
Medical expertise
Specializes in prevention, diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, and health management of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases and geriatric conditions. Provides cardiac rehabilitation for patients with hypertension, coronary heart disease, arrhythmia, heart failure, metabolic syndrome, post stent implantation, and post-coronary artery bypass graft surgery, including guidance on medication, exercise, nutrition, and sleep disorders.
Source | People's Daily Health Client