Can Stress Lead to a Stroke?
According to research, both short- and long-term emotional stress can increase your risk of a stroke. However, there are preventive steps that may help reduce this risk.
A stroke occurs when blood flow to a part of the brain is interrupted. These interruptions can be caused by a blood clot or a burst blood vessel. Symptoms include sudden muscle weakness, confusion, visual changes, and difficulty speaking.
Stroke is a leading cause of disability and death worldwide, and a variety of issues can increase your risk of a stroke. For example, high cholesterol as well as unmanaged high blood pressure both raise the risk of blood clots and blockages in the arteries. In turn, these conditions can increase your chance of having a stroke.
But other issues can be connected to an increased risk of stroke, too. Stress is one of those risk factors.
Research shows that emotional stress can increase your risk of stroke and other cardiovascular events. Both long-term (chronic) stress and short-term stress may have an effect.
This article will take a closer look at the connection between stroke and stress and what can be done to help prevent a stroke.
Yes, according to research, there is a relationship between stress and stroke.
According to a large 2022 study with more than 26,000 participants, self-reported psychosocial stress within the previous 12 months was associated with an increased risk of both ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke. This applied equally to stress that was experienced at work, at home, or as a result of financial worries.
The researchers involved in this study also determined that the link between stroke and stress wasn’t tied to any specific socioeconomic status, occupation, or educational level. In other words, the association between stress and stroke was equal regardless of the type of job the study participants had, how much they earned, or how educated they were.
In addition, the researchers found that the link between stroke and stress may, in some cases, be independent of heart health risk factors such as high blood pressure, smoking, or an unhealthy diet.
Stress, stroke, and lifestyle factors
On the other hand, a smaller 2023 study , determined that certain lifestyle factors may be associated with an increased risk of ischemic stroke. This type of stroke is caused by a blood clot or fatty buildup in the blood vessel. These factors included:
- depression
- being married
- a lower educational level
- perceived stress
What’s more, that same study found that pre-stroke depression and perceived stress were strongly connected to the stroke’s severity.
Stress and cardiovascular health
According to a 2016 study , both acute (short-term) and chronic (long-term or ongoing) emotional stress may increase the risk of stroke.
According to this research, stress affects the body’s cardiovascular health and can lead to changes in blood pressure and the blood’s clotting ability. These factors can increase the risk of stroke.
Stress can affect your cardiovascular health in several ways. For instance, it can lead to the constriction (narrowing) of the arteries, which can cause an increase in blood pressure.
Stress can also boost your blood’s clotting ability. This can increase the risk of clot formation, which can lead to blood vessel obstruction, or the rupture of preexisting plaque, which can travel to the brain, resulting in a stroke.
Additionally, chronic stress can affect the body in several ways. These effects may include:
- high blood pressure (hypertension)
- inflammation
- increased cholesterol
Stress and lifestyle choices
People who have a high levels of chronic stress also tend to make fewer healthy lifestyle choices . For instance, they may:
- exercise less
- sleep less
- smoke
- consume too much alcohol
- turn to food for comfort
- have weight gain as a result
All of these factors can increase your risk of stroke, too. This makes stress a dual problem when it comes to stroke risk.