In a new study from Hospital del Mar and elsewhere, researchers found the risk of suffering an ischaemic stroke, the most common type of cerebrovascular event, is 16% less in people who have green spaces less than 300 meters from their homes.
The study took into account information on exposure to three air pollutants linked to vehicle traffic in more than three and a half million people selected from among the 7.5 million residents of Catalonia.
Specifically, it analyzed the impact of the levels of particulate matter under 2.5 microns (PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and soot particles at the place of residence of each of the people studied.
The team found a strong link between increased levels of NO2 in the atmosphere and the risk of ischaemic stroke. For every increase of 10 micrograms (µg) per cubic meter, this risk increases by 4%.
The same happens when PM2.5 levels increase by 5 µg/m3. In the case of soot particles, the risk increases by 5% for every 1 µg/m3 increase in the atmosphere.
The study demonstrates the importance of environmental determinants in stroke risk.
Given that it is predicted that the incidence, mortality and disability attributed to the disease will increase in the coming years, it is important to understand all the risk factors involved.
Previous studies by the same group had already provided evidence on the relationship between factors such as soot or noise levels and the risk of suffering a stroke and its severity. All these factors act as stroke triggers.
In contrast, having an abundance of green spaces within the same radius from the home directly reduces the risk of suffering a stroke. Specifically, up to 16%.
Exposure to green spaces is generally considered to have beneficial effects through a variety of mechanisms, such as stress reduction, increased physical activity and social contact, and even exposure to an enriched microbiome.
Read more about 8 ways to prevent stroke and spot its warning signs.
Recent research has shown that having too little physical activity may increase stroke risk.
In a study from the University of Calgary, researchers found adults younger than age 60 whose days are filled with sedentary leisure time (which includes using the computer, TV, or reading) and little physical activity have a higher stroke risk.
According to American Heart Association statistics, U.S. adults spend an average of 10.5 hours a day connected to media such as smartphones, computers or television watching, and adults ages 50 to 64 spend the most time of any age group connected to media.
Findings suggest the more time adults spend sedentary, the greater their risk of cardiovascular disease including stroke, and nearly 9 in 10 strokes could be attributed to modifiable risk factors such as sedentary behaviors.
In that study, researchers reviewed health and lifestyle information for 143,000 adults with no prior stroke, heart disease or cancer in years 2000, 2003, 2005, 2007-2012.
They followed the participants for an average of 9.4 years (until Dec. 31, 2017) and identified strokes through linkages with hospital records.
The team found adults 60 years and younger who had low physical activity and reported eight or more hours of leisure sedentary time a day had 4.2 times higher risk of stroke compared to those reporting less than four hours of daily leisure sedentary time.
The most inactive group — those reporting eight or more hours of sedentary time and low physical activity — had a 7 times higher risk of stroke compared to those reporting less than four hours of sedentary time a day and higher levels of physical activity.
The team says adults 60 years and younger should be aware that very high sedentary time with little time spent on physical activity can have adverse effects on health, including increased risk of stroke.
Physical activity has a very important role in that it reduces the actual time spent sedentary, and it also seems to diminish the negative impact of excess sedentary time.
The American Heart Association recommends adults get at least 150 minutes, or 2.5 hours, of moderate-intensity physical activity per week.
If you care about stroke risk, please read studies about common drugs that may increase stroke risk by 60%, and 7 facts women should know to prevent and recognize stroke.
For more information about stroke, please see recent studies about 5 critical steps to help prevent a stroke, and scientists find how to repair damaged brain after stroke.
The study is published in Environment International and was conducted by Cathryn Tonne et al.
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