POLLUTION AND THE RISK OF STROKE.

A report by the American Heart Association, states that stroke may be associated with climate change and air pollution. In a study conducted in the United States and China, the total number of strokes increased as pollution levels rose. Changes in climate may have contributed to the level of air pollution in a region, which in turn contributed to the total number of strokes. The higher pollution levels were linked to a higher total number of strokes, and researchers said it reaffirmed the growing evidence that climate change and overall air quality contributes to cardiovascular disease, according to research presented at the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference 2016. The study, which used data from the United States and China, is one of the first to investigate the interaction between air quality and the number of stroke cases (prevalence) along with the potential effect of temperatures on the association. Across the two countries, researchers found that the total number of stroke cases rose 1.19 percent for each 10 micrograms per cubic meter of air (µg/m3) increase of PM2.5. In addition, Liu said researchers found a significant regional variation in PM2.5 levels that was linked to the number of stroke cases.Researchers also found that temperature had an impact on air quality and risk of stroke. Patients with stroke are in danger of dehydration due to high temperatures in the summer, and are in danger of suffering from pneumonia, influenza and other respiratory diseases in winter. Women and the elderly also appear more vulnerable to stroke risk due to air quality and heat-related diseases. Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States killing nearly 129,000 people every year, and is a leading cause of disability. Worldwide, the prevalence of stroke stood at 33 million, with 16.9 million people suffering their first stroke, and is the second-leading cause of global death behind heart disease. Although patients cannot control air quality, Liu said, the findings provide evidence for policy makers and public health leaders to develop better models for monitoring and predicting climate changes so that patients can better protect themselves.