One Third of Strokes Caused by Air Pollution, Lifestyle Diseases in India

One third of stroke cases are caused by modifiable lifestyle factors and deteriorating air quality, reveal health experts.

It was found that among the challenges faced by the patients who survive stroke are short-term memory loss, difficulty in thinking and depression.

How to Deal with a Stroke - Signs - Symptoms - Risk Factors - Prevention
Stroke is a brain attack, which occurs when the blood supply to the brain is interrupted. It affects all age groups; according to the WHO, 15 million people are affected by stroke annually.

‘Lifestyle diseases such as depression, chronic anxiety and job stress trigger brain and heart stroke among people including youth’

"Pollution in the air thickens the blood and hardens arteries, known as atherosclerosis. Once this process starts, the plaque is built up in the arteries, narrowing them down and causing strokes," said P.N. Renjen, Senior Consultant Neurologist at Indraprastha Apollo, and added this also raises the blood pressure, boosting the risk of clot formation in the brain.

Renjen said that as conditions in India are severe, job stress, anxiety and depression and other lifestyle issues trigger the stroke in a much faster way.

World Stroke Day is on October 29.

Quiz on Stroke
Stroke is the third leading cause of death world over. Besides, it also disables the affected people, making them completely dependent on caregivers for their daily needs. Lifestyle greatly affects the chances of developing a stroke. Thus, the incidence of stroke can be brought down to a great extent by leading a healthy lifestyle. Here is a quiz that tests if you know enough about this disabling condition.

"The challenge is huge with 26 million stroke survivors living with significant disabilities that impede their ability to carry out daily living tasks. One in six people will have a stroke in their lifetime. The symptoms of stroke occur all of a sudden and patient will benefit if these are recognised and treated early," said Vipul Gupta, Director of neurointervention at Artemis Hospital, Gurgaon.

Stating that the stroke is the third most common cause of death and disability in India, Gupta said: "Every minute if stroke is untreated, the average patient loses 1.9 million neuron. Golden hour of stroke is first six hours, and urgent treatment is the key."

Susceptibility To Stroke Not Increased By Short Episodes Of Irregular Heart Rhythm
Short episodes of irregular heart rhythm, which lasts for less than 20 seconds does not increase risk of stroke in people with pacemakers.

Talking about the new developments in strokes, Gupta said that women who take birth control pills are at a slightly higher risk of stroke.

"Risk increases for a woman during pregnancy as the increased blood pressure puts stress on the heart. Also, migraine can cause chances of stroke three times up in women," added Gupta.

Protein Function That Could Lead to Ways to Prevent Stroke Damage
One particular protein is the final executioner of events that result in the death of brain cells during stroke, revealed researchers.

Source-IANS