Air pollution and rising temperatures are increasing the number of stroke patients worldwide, a new study has found.
A study published in The Lancet Neurology reported that the number of people affected by stroke worldwide has increased over the past three decades and that air pollution, rising temperatures and lifestyle factors have contributed to this increase. .
According to statistics, stroke affects about 12 million people every year, causing more than 7 million deaths.
From 1990 to 2021, there was a 70 percent increase in new cases of stroke, while deaths increased by 44 percent. Disability due to stroke also increased by 32 percent.
Professor Valerie Fein, lead author of the study, published on Thursday as part of the Global Burden of Disease Project, said that despite widespread prevention, stroke remains a growing global health problem.
He said that the number of people dying or living with the effects of stroke is increasing rapidly, indicating that current prevention strategies are not enough.
The study identified 23 risk factors responsible for 84 percent of stroke cases globally. Air pollution, smoking, excess body weight and high blood pressure are among the main causes.
