Heat, Obesity Fuel Stroke Rise

Research indicates that global stroke occurrences are on the rise due to factors such as air pollution, high temperatures, obesity and hypertension. Although the condition can be both prevented and treated, recent data projects over 12 million incidents and upwards of seven million fatalities annually due to strokes. Nevertheless, specialists highlight that there is significant potential to reduce future stroke risk, given our ability to confront numerous risk factors.

Over three decades, from 1990 to 2021, occurrences of new stroke cases surged by 70%, while deaths resulting from strokes rose by 44%, as per the data. The uptick is attributable to not only increased life expectancy and population growth, but also heightened exposure to environmental and behavioural risk factors. Stroke, a severe medical emergency that occurs when blood supply to a brain section is interrupted, is identified as the third highest cause of death globally, following coronary heart disease and Covid-19, the Global Burden of Disease, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) analysis indicates.

The findings, disclosed in The Lancet Neurology Journal and at the World Stroke Congress in Abu Dhabi, report that the majority of stroke patients – over three quarters – reside in low- to middle-income nations. The report’s co-author, Dr Catherine Johnson, head research scientist at the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington, USA, emphasised that an astounding 84% of stroke cases are associated with 23 modifiable risk factors, providing abundant opportunities to reduce stroke risk for future generations.

Importantly, she pointed out the reciprocal relationship between air pollution and both ambient temperature and climate change, underscoring the urgency of climate action and pollution reduction efforts. Additionally, with an uptick in exposure to risk factors such as diets high in sugar-sweetened drinks and high blood sugar, she urged the need for strategies focused on obesity and metabolic syndromes. She also stressed the necessity of uncovering sustainable methods of collaboration with communities to address and control stroke risk factors as a resolution to the growing crisis. Though preventable, the research suggests 84% of strokes in 2021 were linked to 23 controllable risk factors.

Air pollution, obesity, hypertension, tobacco use, and sedentary lifestyle are among the factors included in the study. The researchers’ findings indicate a shocking 72% increase since 1990 in early mortality from stroke attributed to hot weather. The study also, for the first time, exposes the devastating impact of airborne particulate matter pollution on fatal cerebral haemorrhage, tallying to 14% of the deaths and disability. This places it on an equivalent level with smoking.

The experts emphasise the urgency of implementing effective, attainable and cost-effective actions globally to ameliorate stroke surveillance, prevention – with a focus on managing blood pressure, personal lifestyle, and environmental considerations, treatment, and post-stroke rehabilitation.

Dr Eithne Sexton, a lecturer at the RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences’ School of Population Health, stated that the research is “highly pertinent” to Ireland, shedding light on the correlation between strokes and the aging demographic. She went on to say that Ireland, where the population is aging faster than many other wealthy nations, is not an exception to this trend. Furthermore, she pointed out that the Irish stroke services are having difficulty keeping up with the existing demand, especially in terms of rehabilitation and other essential support facilities required post-discharge from hospital.

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