Reduce Stroke by Living Near Green Areas

A joint study published in Environment International found that the risk of suffering an ischaemic stroke (the most common type of stroke) is 16% lower in people who have green spaces less than 300 meters (about 328 yards) from their homes.

The study analyzed data on 3.5 million people from the Catalonia region of Spain who had not suffered a stroke prior to the study. Participants were studied from 2016—2017. The study looked at exposure to three atmospheric pollutants linked to vehicle traffic: particulate matter under 2.5 microns (PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and soot particles at the home of each participant. The number and density of green spaces within a 300 meter radius were also studied.

Researchers found a direct relationship between increased NO2 levels in the atmosphere and the risk of ischaemic stroke. Unlike other air pollutants, NO2 is mainly caused by road traffic. The same direct relationship was found for PM2.5 and soot particles. These figures were found to be consistent for the entire population studied, regardless of socioeconomic factors, age, or smoking habits.

Conversely, researchers found that people who are surrounded by greater levels of greenery are protected against suffering a stroke, with up to a 16% reduction in stroke risk for those with an abundance of green spaces within a 300 meter radius of their home.

The study demonstrates the importance of environmental factors in stroke risk and the need to reflect on the current levels of atmospheric pollution that are considered safe. No current levels have been established for soot particles. Previous studies on stroke triggers by the same group had found evidence of the relationship between factors such as soot or noise levels and the risk of suffering stroke and its severity.