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Can Prolonged Exposure To PM2.5 Increase The Risk Of Blood Clots And Stroke?

You may not smoke, exercise regularly, maintain a healthy weight and have no known medical condition. But could the air you breathe still increase your risk of <span>stroke</span>?

The answer is yes. <span>Air pollution</span> affects more than the lungs; it is associated with cardiovascular disease and stroke. PM2.5 fine <span>particulate matter</span> measuring 2.5 micrometres or less in diameter can penetrate deep into the lungs and trigger biological responses affecting blood vessels throughout the body.

<h2>How can polluted air affect the brain?</h2>

A stroke occurs when blood flow to part of the brain is interrupted or when a blood vessel ruptures.

PM2.5 exposure may contribute to <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/forever-chemicals-in-food-drinking-water-scientists-explore-long-term-health-risks-article-156460526" data-type="tilCustomLink">inflammation</a>, oxidative stress and dysfunction of the endothelium, the inner lining of blood vessels. It may also influence platelet activation and normal blood-clotting mechanisms, potentially favouring thrombosis.

Over time, prolonged exposure may contribute to atherosclerosis, the build-up of plaques inside arteries. If a plaque ruptures and a clot blocks an artery supplying the brain, an ischaemic stroke can occur. Air pollution may also affect blood pressure and cardiovascular function.

However, exposure does not inevitably cause a clot or stroke. It is one of several factors that may influence an individual's risk.

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/breathe-easy-this-diwali-early-warning-signs-precautions-to-protect-children-senior-citizens-article-156479143" data-type="tilCustomLink">Breathe Easy This Diwali: Early Warning Signs &amp; Precautions to Protect Children &amp; Senior Citizens</a>

<h2>Can apparently healthy people also be affected?</h2>

Yes. Having no diagnosed hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol or heart disease does not eliminate pollution-associated stroke risk.

A systematic review published in the <span>British Medical Journal</span> in 2015 found that a 10 µg/m³ increase in short-term PM2.5 exposure was associated with approximately a 1.1% relative increase in stroke admissions or mortality. This is a population-level association, not an individual's absolute risk or proof of causation in a particular patient.

Older adults and people with hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidaemia, coronary artery disease, atrial fibrillation or a previous <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/why-a-stroke-can-change-the-way-a-person-eats-speaks-and-even-breathes-article-156425701" data-type="tilCustomLink">stroke </a> or transient ischaemic attack (TIA) warrant particular attention because their baseline vascular risk is high.

<ul><li>Check the AQI: Monitor air-quality readings, particularly during periods of severe pollution.</li><li>Modify outdoor activity: Reduce prolonged or strenuous exercise when air quality is poor; choose cleaner environments or indoor exercise.</li><li>Use appropriate protection: A well-fitting N95 mask can reduce inhalation of fine particles when outdoor exposure is unavoidable.</li><li>Improve indoor air: Consider appropriately sized HEPA filtration and minimise tobacco smoke and other combustion-related pollution.</li><li>Manage vascular risk: Monitor blood pressure, glucose and cholesterol when appropriate, and follow prescribed treatment.</li></ul>

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Do not start aspirin or anticoagulants solely because pollution levels are high. These medicines carry risks and should be used only when clinically indicated under medical supervision.

Individual precautions help, but sustained improvements require cleaner transport, effective industrial emission controls and prevention of waste burning.

Stroke prevention must address established medical risk factors as well as avoidable environmental exposures. The air may look clear, but that does not guarantee it is clean. Protecting the air, we breathe is also an investment in the health of our brains.

<strong><em>By Dr. Ashish Susvirkar, Senior Neurologist and Movement Disorders Specialist, <span rel="noindex">Bhailal Amin General Hospital</span>, Vadodara</em></strong>

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You may not smoke, exercise regularly, maintain a healthy weight and have no known medical condition. But could the air you breathe still increase your risk of stroke?The answer is yes. Air pollution affects more than the lungs; it is associated with cardiovascular disease and stroke. PM2.5 fine particulate matter measuring 2.5 micrometres or less in diameter can penetrate deep into the lungs and trigger biological responses affecting blood vessels throughout the body.How can polluted air affect the brain?A stroke occurs when blood flow to part of the brain is interrupted or when a blood vessel ruptures.PM2.5 exposure may contribute to inflammation, oxidative stress and dysfunction of the endothelium, the inner lining of blood vessels. It may also influence platelet activation and normal blood-clotting mechanisms, potentially favouring thrombosis.Over time, prolonged exposure may contribute to atherosclerosis, the build-up of plaques inside arteries. If a plaque ruptures and a clot blocks an artery supplying the brain, an ischaemic stroke can occur. Air pollution may also affect blood pressure and cardiovascular function.However, exposure does not inevitably cause a clot or stroke. It is one of several factors that may influence an individual's risk.Also read: Breathe Easy This Diwali: Early Warning Signs & Precautions to Protect Children & Senior CitizensCan apparently healthy people also be affected?Yes. Having no diagnosed hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol or heart disease does not eliminate pollution-associated stroke risk.A systematic review published in the British Medical Journal in 2015 found that a 10 µg/m³ increase in short-term PM2.5 exposure was associated with approximately a 1.1% relative increase in stroke admissions or mortality. This is a population-level association, not an individual's absolute risk or proof of causation in a particular patient.Who needs particular attention?Older adults and people with hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidaemia, coronary artery disease, atrial fibrillation or a previous stroke  or transient ischaemic attack (TIA) warrant particular attention because their baseline vascular risk is high.Five practical steps to reduce exposureCheck the AQI: Monitor air-quality readings, particularly during periods of severe pollution.Modify outdoor activity: Reduce prolonged or strenuous exercise when air quality is poor; choose cleaner environments or indoor exercise.Use appropriate protection: A well-fitting N95 mask can reduce inhalation of fine particles when outdoor exposure is unavoidable.Improve indoor air: Consider appropriately sized HEPA filtration and minimise tobacco smoke and other combustion-related pollution.Manage vascular risk: Monitor blood pressure, glucose and cholesterol when appropriate, and follow prescribed treatment.      Do not start aspirin or anticoagulants solely because pollution levels are high. These medicines carry risks and should be used only when clinically indicated under medical supervision.Individual precautions help, but sustained improvements require cleaner transport, effective industrial emission controls and prevention of waste burning.Stroke prevention must address established medical risk factors as well as avoidable environmental exposures. The air may look clear, but that does not guarantee it is clean. Protecting the air, we breathe is also an investment in the health of our brains.By Dr. Ashish Susvirkar, Senior Neurologist and Movement Disorders Specialist, Bhailal Amin General Hospital, Vadodara

can prolonged exposure to pm2.5 increase the risk of blood clots and stroke?

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Can Prolonged Exposure To PM2.5 Increase The Risk Of Blood Clots And Stroke?

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