Chronic stress is increasingly recognized as a contributor to stroke risk. Long-term exposure to it can set the stage for vascular damage and increase both ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke risk. Individuals in lower socioeconomic groups often face compounded stressors, making them especially vulnerable.
According to Dr. Curtis Benesch, Medical Director of UR Medicine’s Comprehensive Stroke Center, chronic stress raises stroke risk by worsening blood pressure, inflammation, and lifestyle habits. The study shows a clear association between chronic stress and stroke risk in large populations.
Long-term stress contributes to common stroke risk factors like high blood pressure, poor sleep, unhealthy habits, and systemic inflammation. Over time, this can lead to atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), which raises the risk for an ischemic stroke, the most common type.
When we’re under stress, our body releases stress hormones like epinephrine (adrenaline) and cortisol, which can raise blood pressure, elevate blood sugar levels, promote inflammation, encourage blood clot formation, and contribute to vascular damage. Extreme acute stress may increase the risk of hemorrhagic stroke, especially in people with high blood pressure and vulnerable blood vessels.
Research shows that people in lower socioeconomic groups are more vulnerable to stress-related health consequences due to factors like financial instability, unsafe housing, or lack of access to healthcare. Managing stress through daily habits, mindfulness, and professional support may play a key role in reducing stroke risk and supporting overall cardiovascular health.
Simple stress-management strategies can support stroke prevention efforts alongside traditional risk factor control. These include finding activities that bring joy, practicing mindfulness techniques, talking to a doctor or mental health provider about unmanageable stress, and incorporating small, daily decisions that support health.
Source: https://neurosciencenews.com/chronic-stress-stroke-29140