Stress May Increase Risk of Stroke

It may not be news that excess stress is bad for you. Doctors have long thought there was a connection between increased stress and many physical and mental health condition. A new study found that not dealing well with it may lead to an increased risk of heart disease and other related symptoms such as a heart attack. A new study however, reveals a different benefit. Learning to alleviate excess stress may cut the risk of stroke. Learning how to deal well with stress can cut the risk by nearly 25%.

The study, published in Stroke, recorded 452 cases of strokes and and over 100,000 stressful life events that occurred in the lives of the participants. The relationship between stress and the causes of stroke may not be fully understood. Since stress was known to increase blood pressure in the body, it was long suspected that there may have been an indirect link betweeen liiving under stressful conditions and suffering a stroke.

"Our findings suggest that people who are able to adapt more rapidly to stressful circumstances in their lives had a lower risk of stroke," said Dr. Sutrees, a lead researcher at the University of Cambridge.

While this may be one of the first studies of its type, there has been much anecdotal evidence linking better stroke recovery and survival rates with those who deal with stress better. The people in the study who recovered better were said to have a stronger sense of an attribute called coherence. The term was coined after observations of Holocaust survivors.

The Stroke Foundation's Dr. Isabel Lee stated: "It is becoming clear that understanding the very complex nature of stress and its connection to stroke will allow us to design better stroke prevention interventions and help save lives."

While cutting down on stress may reduce the chance you'll become a victim you can take other steps that will also make it less likely you'll wind up in the hospital in general. You've heard most of them before: improve your diet, exercise, quit smoking, maintain a healthy weight, and control your blood pressure. If you do not do all of those or in fact any of them, you can at least take a little break from the daily grind to engage in some relaxation. As long as you do not over do it, it turns out that it is good for you. If other risk factors are present, make sure you go and get regular check ups from your doctor.

Sources:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/6936847.stm

http://www.stanfordhospital.com/clinicsmedServices/COE/neuro/stroke/patientEducation/strokePrevention.html

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/6936847.stm