A new study found that ambient particulate matter air pollution is a top risk factor for subarachnoid haemorrhage which is a type of brain stroke and this risk factor is at par with smoking. The research found that air pollution contributed to 14 per cent of the deaths and disability caused by this serious stroke subtype.

Air pollution and rising temperatures linked to increase in number of strokes globally - Stroke causes over 7 million deaths annually

Air pollution, high temperatures, and risk factors such as obesity and high blood pressure are driving global increases in stroke, research suggests. Although stroke is very preventable and treatable,

Incidence of stroke and related deaths are rising substantially around the world, with air pollution, high temperatures and metabolic risk factors such as high blood pressure and physical inactivity,