More links between air pollution and stroke risk

Chengdu, China, 2006

This isn't the first posting here about the link between air pollution and stroke risk.

Of course, air pollution generates many, many other problems. I remember visiting London several years ago and, when blowing my nose, found a tissue full of dirt. In visiting Chengdu, China, later, the city was covered with smog.

I ran in both cities, but couldn't help but notice the affect on my breathing.

Here's one more piece of evidence that air pollution is linked to increased stroke risk:

"Our study adds to the growing body of evidence that air pollution is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease," said lead author Dr. Jonathan Newman, a cardiologist at NYU Langone Medical Center in New York City.

"It shows that a person's cardiovascular risk is not only associated with their genes, health behaviors and lifestyle choices, it also depends to some extent on the world we live in and the air we breathe," he said in an ACC news release.

The results draw attention to the importance of reducing air pollution, Newman said.

"If you're in good health, the level of air pollution we see in most parts of the United States probably doesn't pose a significant health risk to you. But for people who are very young, very old or have other medical problems, air pollution could be a significant source of cardiovascular disease risk," he added.