Association between hydrocarbon exposure and risk of stroke: a systematic literature review.

Background: Hydrocarbon exposure, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), is increasingly linked to vascular dysfunction and stroke, a leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally. Common in occupational and environmental contexts, hydrocarbons induce oxidative stress, systemic inflammation, and endothelial dysfunction, disrupting vascular health. This systematic review examines the association between hydrocarbon exposure and stroke, emphasizing specific metabolites and their cerebrovascular effects.