Explorer
Advertisement
Air Pollution Considered As Leading Risk-Factor For Strokes And Cardiovascular Diseases: Lancet Report
According to a report by Lancet, air pollution causes the blood to thicken which increases pressure in our body leading to brain strokes and other comorbidities.
The manifestation of rising air pollution in respiratory organs is well recognised and talked about in the public discourse. However, not many people are aware air pollutants have the potential to increase the risk of stroke.
Evidences, supported by epidemiological studies and researches, have emerged which show a rise in pollution is synonymous with the increase in incidents of strokes.
Meanwhile, experts have also observed that exposure to the polluted air for a prolonged period could advance the risk of developing strokes. Dr. Vinit Suri, senior consultant, neurology at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, and immediate past president of the Indian Stroke Association, said that air pollution is also being considered as one of the key factors for stroke and cardiovascular diseases (among other co-morbidities).
"Several trials, experiments, and epidemiological studies have been conducted to compare samples and patient case studies from areas that are low and high in toxicity of particulate matter. These studies have found that the majority of stroke patients reported from areas that recorded high levels of air pollution," he said.
Particulate matter which causes air pollution is a major cause of stroke
"Particulate Matter (PM) especially PM 2.5 is a major risk factor responsible for stroke. These particles enter the lungs and further travel to the blood vessels and might reach the brain and heart, causing major damage to the organs. Through the lungs these particulate matters can go directly into the other organs also," Suri added. Dr Aparna Gupta, a neurosurgeon at Indian Spinal Injuries Centre (ISIC) said that the manifestations of air pollution in the body pose a great threat for brain Ischemic stroke. "Air pollution causes a chronic inflammatory response, oxidative stress, blood vessels endothelial cell injury, pro-thrombotic (clotting) state, narrowing of arteries, and blockage of blood vessels or arteries. All these processes are known to increase the risk of either Ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack," she noted. Prof (Dr) Manjari Tripathi, head of neurology at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) said that strokes incidents are bound to increase with a spike in pollution. "Studies show exposure to the air pollution level at 22 parts per million (ppm) of PM2.5 is equivalent to smoking a cigarette. Smoking is already a risk factor for stroke. While people smoke intermittently, the intake of polluted air is constant. So there is no escape from smoking whether one does it literally or not. It is in the air we breathe! Clearly, the situation leads to an increase in the stroke incidents," she explained. Dr Samir K. Kalra, neurosurgeon at the Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, observed that the blood is getting thicker, arteries losing flexibility and average blood pressure rising with the increase in the air pollution levels.
Particulate matter mixed with blood increases blood pressure causing stroke: The Lancet
Every minute lost after a stroke kills 1.9 million neurons in our brain: AIIMS doctor
The experts also observed that general practitioners and people at large need to be educated to recognise stroke signals since immediate medical care is the only intervention that can save the lives of such patients. Dr. M.V. Padma Srivastava, head of neurosciences centre at AIIMS said in a summit that a massive awareness among the public to recognise the signals of stroke and quality training of physicians is needed at large to ensure medical care reaches the patients timely. "Every minute lost after a stroke kills 1.9 million neurons in our brain and people must recognise the signs such as facial drooping, arm weakness, speech difficulties, vision problem, etc. They must act FAST (Facial drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulties, and Time) to save a life—remember, there is no brain transplant. Sometimes, what people do not think to be a sign of stroke turns out to be one," she said. "In India, we also need a stroke map and quality certification for stroke centres. We cannot depend on neurologists alone. We must train our physicians to manage less severe cases of a stroke at the local level instead of sending them to tertiary level hospitals," Srivastava added.
Follow Breaking News on ABP Live for more latest stories and trending topics. Watch breaking news and top headlines online on ABP News LIVE TV
View More
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Top Headlines
Entertainment
Cities
Celebrities
India
Advertisement