Air pollution responsible for over one third strokes among Indians: study

Work related stress, anxiety and depression add to the risks of strokes as 1 in 6 Indians will suffer a stroke in their lifetime.

New Delhi: Air pollution has come across as a major concern for Indian cities after the national capital itself made it to the list of some of the most polluted cities in the world and now it seems it has been contributing largely to another growing health hazard in the country.

A study done by a hospital in Delhi came to the conclusion that while 16 lakh Indians suffer from strokes every year, one third of these are caused by modifiable lifestyle factors and the deteriorating quality of air.

Among other factors, depression, job stress and anxiety are increasingly causing brain and heart strokes among young people. Air pollution causes stroke by thickening blood in arteries after which plaque is built in arteries which are narrowed.

Around 26 million stroke survivors in the country live with disabilities and around one in six Indians will suffer a stroke in their lifetime. Symptoms for this are seen suddenly and need to be recognised and treated quickly.

The overall lifestyle and environmental conditions are primarily responsible for more people suffering strokes at a young age.