Climate change tied to over half million stroke deaths globally, study finds [Video]

Climate change could be linked to more than half a million deaths from stroke across the globe, a new study suggests.

Over the last three decades, researchers found that non-optimal temperatures across the globe were increasingly linked to death and disability due to stroke.

Majority of these strokes were due to lower than optimal temperatures, according to the first-of-its-kind study, published in the journal Neurology on Wednesday.

Scientists suspect higher blood pressure may be caused by blood vessels constricting with low pressures, contributing to stroke risk.

Researchers also found an increase in strokes tied to higher than optimal temperatures.

Such higher temperatures may cause dehydration, which could affect cholesterol levels and result in slower blood flow – factors that may also lead to stroke.