This is from a review article that looked at the association of
environmental factors, nutrition, alcohol, tobacco, education, ischemic stroke and cerebral hemorrhage:
The link between air pollution and stroke risk has become evident. Low education levels and depression are established as risk factors of stroke. This is also true for heavy alcohol consumption, although moderate drinking may be protective. Active and passive smoking are independent risk factors, and a smoking ban in public places has already reduced cardiovascular events in the short term. Physical activity reduces stroke risk; overweight increases it. However, clinical trials to assess the effect of weight reduction on stroke risk are still lacking. Fruits, vegetables, fish, fibers, low-fat dairy products, potassium and low sodium consumption are known and recommended to reduce cardiovascular risk. Data on omega 3 fatty acid, folic acid and B vitamins are inconsistent, and antioxidants are not recommended.
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While many people understand the association between many of the above lifestyle factors and heart disease, my experience is that people still do not think of stroke as a "vascular disease" that can be affected by the very same factors. Im always glad to see these kinds of articles in press.
ReplyDeleteDo you know the link between air pollution and stroke (and heart attacks?). Research demonstrates that a high pollution load can trigger an acute systemic inflammatory response. If this acute inflammatory response occurs within diseased arteries in the heart or the brain inflammation, these arteries may respond by spasm or by disruption of plaques, which may thrombose the artery and decrease blood flow ie, cause ischemia). So, watch out for bad air!