Air pollution and rising temperatures are increasing the number of strokes around the world, a new study says. The number of people affected by stroke worldwide has surged in the past three decades, the study published in The Lancet Neurology notes, with air pollution, rising temperatures and lifestyle factors contributing to the increase. Stroke now affects nearly 12 million people annually, causing over 7 million deaths.
From 1990 to 2021, new stroke cases increased by 70 per cent while deaths rose by 44 per cent. Disability caused by stroke also grew by 32 per cent. "Despite being largely preventable, stroke remains a growing global health issue," Prof Valery Feigin, lead author of the study published on Thursday as part of the Global Burden of Disease project, said.
"The number of people dying from or living with the effects of stroke is rising quickly, showing that current prevention strategies are not enough." The study identifies 23 risk factors responsible for 84 per cent of the global stroke burden. Air pollution, smoking, high body weight, and high blood pressure are the leading causes.
A particularly concerning finding is the increasing role of environmental factors like air pollution and high temperatures in causing strokes. Particulate air pollution is now also linked to deadly brain haemorrhages, putting it on a par with smoking. "Air pollution and rising temperatures are playing a larger role in strokes than ever before," Dr Catherine O Johnson, co-author of th.