Air Quality, Hypertension, and Stroke
In recent research, a startling revelation has come to light: the strong correlation between PM2.5 and stroke incidence and mortality ( 1 ). PM2.5,
characterized as fine particulate matter measuring 2.5 micrometers or less in diameter, represents a formidable threat ( 2 ). These minuscule particles,
often generated by the combustion of fossil fuels, industrial processes, and wildfires, possess the ability to infiltrate our lungs and enter our
bloodstream ( 3 ). As a result, air pollution consisting of PM2.5 size particulate matter has become a global public health concern, contributing to about
4.1 million deaths globally and 60,000 deaths in the United States in 2019 ( 4
, 5 ). But the intrigue doesn't end there.
Stroke, a leading health issue that affects countless individuals and poses substantial healthcare costs, is under the spotlight. Previously recognized risk factors for stroke,
including hypertension and obesity, have long been in the spotlight. As we delve into this compelling narrative, the stage is set for pioneering data
analytics to explore the relationship between PM2.5 and these risk factors and transform our understanding of stroke risk and prevention. The map below
shows the top 30% of counties with the worst air quality and the top 30% of counties with the highest hypertension prevalence.
The relationship between hypertension and stroke has long been established by clinical research and observation. Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a medical condition
characterized by increased fluid pressure inside human arteries. It is usually a chronic, insidious disease related to overall degenerative changes in the blood vessels and is
one of many clinical factors known to contribute to stroke risk.
High blood pressure is a known risk factor for both ischemic strokes and hemorrhagic strokes. Ischemic strokes are usually caused by blockage of blood flow and subsequent death
of downstream brain matter deprived of oxygen. Hemorrhagic strokes are strokes where blood bursts through damaged cerebral arteries or smaller vessels, causing direct damage to
brain matter due to the toxicity of direct blood contact and ischemia to downstream brain areas due to the interruption of blood flow.
High blood pressure contributes to ischemic strokes by being a major factor in the creation of surface damage in the inner lining of blood vessels that develop clots (“thrombi”)
that break off and block blood flow upstream. High blood pressure also contributes to hemorrhagic strokes by providing the impetus behind most of the blood vessel breaks that lead
to hemorrhage.
The incidence of stroke rises lockstep with rising blood pressure and reduction of blood pressure also reduces the incidence of both ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes, illustrating
the close relationship between the two conditions.
Interesting Factoids: Air Quality and Hypertension
The area of the country where both the top 30% of Air Quality and Hypertension cluster with the top 30% of Stroke prevalence, are in the U.S. South East and include the states: Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, and South Carolina. Which can be viewed by setting the Air Quality and Hypertension Quantile Category and Stroke Quantile Category filters both to Top 30% in the map below.
Key End Users and Stakeholders
This information is useful to state and local departments of health, public health researchers, the public, hospitals, and clinicians to understand the potential
for increased stroke risk - and by county. This information facilitates resource allocation, staff planning, preventative interventions, public warnings, health
education, and public health policies to limit the impact on the healthcare system and impact to the health of populations in areas that experience poor air quality.
In addition, insight from the impact air pollution and other factors have on Stroke can be of interest to organizations incentivized to know about future health risks,
such as financial services and pharmaceuticals.
How this relates to our work at HSR
The effects of air quality on stroke prevalence is an important consideration for an upcoming wildland fire smoke plume health risk index we are developing as a part of our GeoAI for Disaster Response series of products which include our Hurricane Health Risk Index, WildFire Health Risk Index , Drought Health Risk Index, and Plastic Bioaccumulation Health Risk Index .
What HSR.health Provides
HSR.health is an innovation-first healthcare technology firm and the leading provider of health-focused geospatial data analytics. Our AI-enabled, geospatial platform curates data globally and provides actionable health risk data analytics to healthcare industry professionals, NGO’s, and government entities.
Capabilities
Leverage machine learning, artificial intelligence, and other advanced algorithms to gain insights into their relationship between social determinants of health (SDOH) and global outcomes, health equity, disease transmission, and the economic risk from health emergencies.
Provide curated visualizations of geospatial data analytics and innovative risk indices through our GeoHealth Platform to provide decision-makers with actionable risk insights.
Global data mining from disparate sources within and outside the healthcare sector.
Tailored datasets optimized for organizations' unique needs.