Stress 'can cause stroke'
The recession has led to elevated stress levels all over the country, but new research reveals that people suffering from this condition may actually be in danger of something more serious.
According to a study conducted at the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg and Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Sweden, stress may lead directly to a stroke, which is the second leading cause of death in the UK.
Experts at the facilities based the work on preliminary findings showing that patients urgently admitted to hospital with cerebral infarction said they were under great stress over a prolonged period prior to suffering their stroke.
Katarina Jood, who is a researcher at the Sahlgrenska Academy and a neurologist at Sahlgrenska University Hospital, told affordable health insurance holders that a large patient study established a clear link between elevated stress levels and the likelihood of stroke.
"There appears to be a correlation between stress and stroke, but this needs to be interpreted with great caution. We asked about self-perceived stress among the stroke patients and there is, of course, a risk of patients who have just had a cerebral infarction remembering incorrectly or over-interpreting with regard to their level of stress," she said.
Ms Jood added that over 600 patients completed the survey no less than ten days after being admitted to hospital after suffering a stroke and the team found that a significant amount had self-perceived psychological distress prior to the incident.
"We do not know why stress appears to play a greater role in particular types of stroke, but it is an important finding as it prompts further studies on what role stress plays in the development of stroke," the healthcare expert stated.
By James McCann
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