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Air pollution significantly increases the risk of stroke
That the ever-increasing air pollution is a major problem for our health, should be well known. Again and again, air pollution is linked to serious illnesses. Researchers now found that nearly one third of all strokes involved pollution of our air.
In more and more western countries air pollution is becoming a big problem. Various contaminants, such as car and factory exhaust, increase the risk to our health. Researchers from the Auckland University of Technology have now discovered in an investigation that air pollution is involved in the development of strokes. The physicians published the results of their study in the journal "The Lancet Neurology".
The pollution of our air continues to increase. Negative consequences for our health are therefore unavoidable. Researchers have now discovered that rising air pollution significantly increases our risk of stroke. (Image: Ralf Geithe / fotolia.com) Terrifying extent of the threat of rising air pollution
By air pollution or air pollution is meant a change in the natural composition of the air. This happens in particular by smoke, soot, dust, gases, aerosols, vapors or odors. All the alien substances can damage our health. Physicians now linked air pollution to the increased risk of stroke. While scientists expected air pollution to be a health issue, the actual magnitude of the threat was surprising, she said. Action is urgently needed to stop the appalling levels of air pollution, the authors explain.
Effects of air pollution on the occurrence of strokes underestimated
No one expected an effect of this magnitude or this large increase in air pollution in the last two decades, the researchers say. Older analyzes would probably have underestimated the effects of air pollution on the development of strokes, the physicians explain. Emissions from fossil fuels are more damaging to the cardiovascular system than fine dust. Heart and brain air pollution has generally been severely underestimated, says lead author Professor Valery Feigin of Auckland University of Technology.
About six million people die each year as a result of a stroke
About 15 million people a year suffer stroke worldwide, nearly six million even die from it and five million suffer permanent disability after the incident, such as loss of vision and speech, paralysis and confusion, explain the physicians.
Researchers analyze data from 188 countries
The researchers analyzed the medical data from the 2013 Global Burden of Disease Study for their new study, which looked at how various risk factors affect the risk of stroke in humans, the researchers explain. The study analyzed cases from 188 countries and took place between 1990 and 2013. The Auckland University of Technology experts are now evaluating existing data on stroke risk. At the time, the Global Burden of Disease Study emphasized that the biggest risks to suffering from stroke, high blood pressure, low fruit intake, obesity, high salt intake, smoking, and low consumption of vegetables are what scientists say. Another study found earlier: Air pollution increases the risk of high blood pressure.
Three quarters of the stroke risk is linked to lifestyle
Almost three-quarters of the global burden of strokes could be linked to lifestyle choices, such as smoking, say the experts. But poor nutrition and too little exercise increase the risk. It is clear that people can do a great deal to reduce their personal risk of suffering a stroke, the doctors add.
Air quality in our homes is also a risk factor
The effects of air pollution were associated with a 17 percent risk of stroke. Air quality in our homes can also be negative. With poor indoor air quality, the risk of stroke increases by 16 percent, the researchers warn. Air pollution in our homes is caused by heating, especially in low and middle income families. Researchers have already found in another study that air pollution in buildings kills thousands of people each year.
Impact of air pollution on our body
Environmental pollution is created by vehicles, power plants, industry and fossil fuels. The traditional burning of biomass is an important source in developing countries, researchers say. In the long term, air pollution increases the risk of stroke by hardening arteries in the brain, causing our blood to thicken and then increase blood pressure, the doctors explain. This increases the risk of blood clots in the brain. But the effects of air pollution can also have acute consequences, such as so-called plaques, which build up in our arteries and then cause blockages later, the authors add. In addition, children's asthma risk from air pollution during pregnancy increases.
Avoid busy roads and rush hour traffic
One of the major sources of air pollution is car emissions. Keep away from the streets, especially at peak times, the authors advise. Avoid busy roads so you can reduce the burden of air pollution, says Professor Feigin. On days of high levels of air pollution people should best stay in their homes as much as possible. Especially urban air is considered to be carcinogenic due to air pollution.
Strong toxic effects from the pollution of our air
A report from the Royal College of Physicians found that air pollution alone in the UK accounts for at least 40,000 deaths per year. The new impressive international study now shows the really strong influence of air pollution on the risk of stroke, say the experts. The pollution of the air quality would cause toxic effects on the human body in several places. This applies from birth to old age.
It is important to improve air quality in developed and developing countries
Air pollution is a major threat to public health. We need to improve our air quality in both industrialized and developing countries, experts say. The study's most alarming finding was that about one-third of strokes were due to air pollution. It has been known that air pollution damages the lungs, heart and brain. But the full extent of the threat was clearly underestimated, says Professor Feigin.
Air pollution is a global problem that affects us all
Air pollution is not just a problem in big cities, but it is a global problem. Extensive air flows over the oceans and continents will quickly turn the problems of air quality in Beijing into problems in Berlin, the authors add. (As)