Are you stressed out? There is a growing body of research connecting chronic stress with an increased risk of stroke, particularly ischemic stroke. In a study of more than 13,000 people, men reporting chronic stress over a 20-year period had double the risk of stroke as men without chronic stress (the increased risk was not significant in women).
Q. Did yelling at my spouse give me a stroke?
A. No. While chronic elevated blood pressure increases the risk of a stroke, a brief increase in blood pressure due to emotions or exercise does not.
On the other hand, chronic stress -- emotional or physical stress that continues for some time -- does contribute to stroke risk. This is especially true if you have other stroke risk factors.
For example, in a Danish study of more than 12,000 adults, those who reported experiencing stress at least weekly were nearly 50% more likely to die of a stroke over a 13-year period than those who said they never or hardly ever felt stress. Participants who often felt stress also tended to have other stroke risk factors such as smoking, a diagnosis of hypertension, or little physical activity.
If you feel chronically stressed -- or are constantly yelling at your spouse -- consider some therapy or lifestyle changes. Counseling can help with emotional and relationship issues, and stress-reduction courses, offered at many hospitals and clinics, can teach you specific techniques for coping with stress. Lifestyle practices such as exercise, yoga, tai chi, and meditation can also help lower stress and blood pressure.
