New Delhi: Stress and the stress hormone cortisol are both swords that cut both ways. From physical to mental health, neither is safe from its repercussions, and these are often lasting as well. According to a study, living with chronic stress – a sensation of being overwhelmed and pressured for a prolonged period – can raise the risk of a stroke by a whopping 78%. This was discovered by a study that evaluated younger adults and found a link between stress and this life-threatening condition. This can occur in women and not in men. The study was published in the American Academy of Neurology, and it found a link between stress and stroke.
Researchers at the Helsinki University Hospital in Finland, involved in the study, found that younger people were more prone to being stressed out due to work pressure or because of long hours or financial liabilities. Previously, studies have noted that chronic stress can adversely affect mental and physical health. But this study found that it could be the reason responsible for the high risk of stroke in younger women. In this study, researchers evaluated 426 people aged 18 to 49 years who suffered from an ischemic stroke for no known cause. They were all compared with 426 patients of the same age and gender who had not suffered from a stroke.
What is ischemic stroke?
Ischemic stroke is a form of the condition that occurs when a clot blocks blood supply to the brain, which can lead to weakness, vision problems, paralysis, difficulty in speaking, or even death. This condition requires immediate medical attention and must be addressed timely manner to limit long-term damage.
For this study, researchers questioned participants about the stress levels they experienced over one month. It was found that people who suffered from a stroke had to record the stress levels they experienced over a month. All participants were asked 10 questions about how much stress they experienced in the previous month and how they felt that things were out of their control. They were all asked to score it from 0 to 4, and scores were then calculated as follows:
- 0-13 – low stress
- 14-26 – moderate stress
- 27-40 – high stress
Researchers noted that people who went through a stroke had an average score of 13, and those who did not had an average score of 10. Of the people who experienced a stroke, 46% experienced high stress levels in comparison to 33% who did not suffer from a stroke. Researchers found that female participants who experienced ma oderate level of stress were 78% more prone to stroke. High stress was linked to 6% increase in risk. But the same link was not found in men. But experts found that experiencing high stress levels was a limitation that may have affected the outcome.
Researchers noted that people who went through a stroke had an average score of 13, and those who did not had an average score of 10. Of the people who experienced a stroke, 46% experienced high stress levels in comparison to 33% who did not suffer from a stroke. Health News Health News: Latest News from Health Care, Mental Health, Weight Loss, Disease, Nutrition, Healthcare
