Now, Air Pollution Linked to Strokes

                Air pollution has been identified for the first time as a major contributor for stroke leading to death and disability, mainly in developing and middle-income countries like India. A new study shows air pollution is the third largest cause for stroke accounting for almost 30% of the global stroke burden. Behavioral factor, such as smoking, poor diet and lack of physical activity, are leading cause contributing to 74.2% of stroke, followed by metabolic disorders like cholesterol, high blood pressure and obesity.

                Experts say behavioral factors and metabolic disorder have been linked in the past as well. However, the study assumes significance because of its findings pointing at air pollution as leading indicator for stroke. In India, more than 1.2 million people were estimated to suffer strokes every year, making it the leading cause of death and disability in rural India. Globally, about 15 million people suffer strokes every year, of which nearly 6 million die and 5 million are left disabled – including loss of vision or speech, paralysis and confusion.

                It is a landmark study pointing at pollution as an indicator for stroke for the first time. It is important also because there are no ideal treatment options for stroke and therefore, prevention is the best solution. Finding of the study show 90.5% of the stroke burden was attributable to “modifiable factors” such as smoking, eating too much sugar and not exercising enough, as well as the associated health problems, such as diabetes and heart disease.

                The study also listed air pollution as a “modifiable factor”, indicating efforts by the government and people can make a difference. In low and middle income nations in Asia and Africa, almost a fifth of stroke burden was attributed to household air pollution, while a similar percentage was blamed in China and India.