Poor air quality may lead to stroke: study

Increased air pollution may not only cause respiratory problems, it could also increase your risk of suffering a stroke, a new study has claimed.
Fine particulate matter especially has become the focus in recent years, because it increases the probability of dying from respiratory or cardiovascular disease, researchers said.
"Long-term exposure to fine-particle dust is associated with a higher risk of stroke, regardless of the subject's exposure to noise at his or her home address," said study author Barbara Hoffmann from the Heinrich-Heine-University Dusseldorf in Germany.
In a population of the German Ruhr region, Hoffmann investigated how often stroke and cardiovascular disease occurred, as well as how much particulate matter and noise inhabitants were exposed to.

The study involved more than 4,400 residents aged between 45 and 74 years. They were selected over the time period from 2000 to 2003.
Information regarding stroke or cardiovascular disease occurrence and/or associated mortality was collected annually.

In addition, the authors evaluated exposure to particulate matter and noise according to participants' place of residence.
"The results indicate that stroke is more likely to occur with increased air pollution. The results for coronary events are less clear, and exposure to noise pollution showed no clear effect," researchers said.
The authors point out, however, that the data indicates a tendency for increased risk of cardiovascular disease through particulate matter exposure.

The study was published in the journal Deutsches Arzteblatt International.