Scientists say living in a leafy green area can reduce the risk of having a stroke

By Gwyn Wright via SWNS

Living in a leafy green area cuts your risk of a stroke, scientists have found.

Researchers found people who live less than 300 meters (984 feet) from a green space are at a 16 percent lower risk from a stroke.

The findings indicate there is a clear relationship between levels of pollutants in the atmosphere and the risk of getting a stroke.

For every ten micrograms per cubic meter of nitrogen dioxide in the air, the risk increases by four percent.

The same increase takes place when the amount of fine particulate matter, which is another pollutant, increases by five cubic micrograms.

Every extra cubic microgram of soot in the air raises the risk of a stroke by five percent.

These risks are spread equally across the population and are not affected by age, smoking habits or socioeconomic factors.

In contrast, having an abundance of green spaces near your home cuts your risk from a stroke by up to 16 percent.

Living near lots of leafy land is believed to help people exercise, reduce stress and help people socialize with friends.

For the study, the research team looked at information on how exposed 3.5 million people in Catalonia, Spain were to each of the three types of atmospheric pollutant, all of which are linked to car traffic.

Everyone they looked at was an adult who had not suffered a stroke before the study began.

This data was found using geographic referencing and designing models of exposure to the nitrogen dioxide and soot, using population data.

The researchers say that, in light of the findings, recommendations about the levels of pollutants in the atmosphere deemed safe by the European Union should be tightened.

Levels of nitrogen oxide and fine particulate matter deemed safe by the European Union are higher than those deemed safe by the World Health Organization.

The EU has not set any safe threshold for soot particles.

Study co-author Dr. Carla Avellaneda said: "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.

"People who are surrounded by greater levels of greenery at their place of residence are protected against the onset of stroke.”

Lead study author Dr. Rosa Maria Vivanco said: “Despite compliance with the levels set by the European Union, we are faced with the paradox that there is still a health risk, such as the one we identified in this study, where there is a direct relationship between exposure to pollutants in our environment and the risk of suffering a stroke.

"The danger is still present and many more measures need to be taken.”

Study author Cathryn Tonne said: "It should be borne in mind that, unlike other air pollutants, which have various sources, nitrogen oxide is mainly caused by road traffic.

"Therefore, if we really want to reduce the multiple risks that this pollutant poses to people's health, we need to implement bold measures to reduce car use.”

The findings were published in the journal Environment International.