India, Oct. 30 -- As stroke cases rise across India, doctors have warned that Delhi's toxic air, high stress levels and inactive lifestyle could make its residents more vulnerable to stroke.

The concern was raised at a World Stroke Day forum organised by Mahajan Imaging and Labs, where experts called for greater awareness and early screening using AI-based health technologies.

Speaking at the event on Wednesday, Padma Shri awardee Dr MV Padma Srivastava, former Head of Neurology at AIIMS, New Delhi, said long-term exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in Delhi, often 10 to 15 times above WHO safe limits, damages blood vessels and raises stroke risk, especially in people with diabetes or heart disease.

Citing findings based on a s...