Can Stress Cause A Stroke? The Answer May Shock You!

The pressures of managing an increasingly challenging work-life balance take its toll on our mental health. And the resulting stress can lead to some serious problems — one of them being an increased risk of suffering a stroke!

Table of contents


How Does Stress Increase Your Chances Of A Stroke?

Scientists have found that people who have heightened activity in the amygdala — the part of the brain commonly linked to stress — are more likely to develop cardiovascular disease. It contributes to aggravating health risks like hypertension, high cholesterol levels, diabetes, obesity, heart problems, etc. These health issues are categorized as ‘high risk factors’ for a stroke.

It has been found in a study that stress apparently raises the risk of a Stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) by 59%. A TIA is a mini-stroke caused by a temporary blockage of blood flow to the brain.

Additionally, stress leads to developing harmful habits like smoking, which is again a well-established risk factor for a stroke.


How Does A Stroke Happen?

There are two kinds of strokes that could happen!

1. Hemorrhagic Stroke:
Bleeding in the brain causes this kind of stroke. A weak spot in the wall of the vessel can, in turn, cause an aneurysm (bulging of the vessel wall). The vessels can become weak also by chronic high blood pressure and sometimes, they break from the force.

When the vessel breaks, the blood leaks into surrounding tissue. It thereby hampers the passage of oxygen and nutrients to the brain.

2. Ischemic Stroke:
This happens because of blocked arteries, which can be caused owing to a buildup of cholesterol.

It should be noted, that a person who has a comparatively healthy lifestyle and has the right body weight, will be able to handle periodic high stress, without much of a problem.

But, if the stress becomes chronic, it can cause a stroke. For people who already have major health issues, stress can be a highly probable cause for stroke. A person who is genetically predisposed to hypertension, diabetes, obesity etc, is also at a higher risk for stroke caused by stress.

cause of stroke



What Exactly Happens During Stress?

Chronic stress results in continuous high levels of cortisol and other stress hormones. This can cause retention of salt, which will then increase the bodily blood pressure. With time, this causes stress on blood vessels.

Stress can also cause blood sugar to increase, due to which the vessels can’t dilate or contract to control blood flow better.

Disruption in sleep cycles can be a result of increased levels of cortisol. Fatigue is the natural progression to this. Thereby, a person might exercise and eat poorly. This is a vicious cycle that can cause any of the various health issues that are responsible for strokes.


How To Find Out If You Are Stressed?

People usually ignore stress and don’t take the necessary steps to deal with it. At the same time, it is impossible to measure the levels of stress — it depends entirely on the tolerance levels of a person!

Some could be stressed owing to the pressures of a job, or some could be facing the stress of dealing with difficult relationships. The extent to which one can handle it determines the severity of stress.

However, you could pay attention to these subtle signs, to know if you are stressed!

  • Do your family members and close friends keep asking you if you are stressed?
  • Do you find yourself at odds with them, more frequently?
  • Have you stopped doing things that used to make you happy?
  • Do you find it difficult to fall or stay asleep, compared to your normal patterns?
  • Do you delay getting out of bed, especially if you know the day is going to be stressful?
  • Do you find an increase in the number of cigarettes you smoke or has your intake of alcohol suddenly increased?

If you find yourself nodding to most or all of these questions, it might be time to take a step back and look for ways to manage the stress, before it causes some serious trouble!



How To Get Rid Of The Stress?

the way to get rid fo the stress
Here are some habits you can implement in your day-to-day life to ensure that you aren’t too stressed!

1. Exercise!
People who exercise regularly are less likely to experience anxiety as against people who don’t. Exercise helps release endorphins, which improve your mood and act as natural painkillers. Exercising regularly can also help regulate your sleep patterns, and boost your confidence by improving your overall appearance!

2. Maintain A Healthy Diet!
Make sure your diet includes a healthy mix of green leafy vegetables, water, and less caffeine. High doses of coffee, tea, chocolate and energy drinks can increase anxiety! Test your sensitivity to caffeine before cutting down on it entirely.

3. Laugh… A Lot!
Laughing can help relieve tension by relaxing the muscles. In the long term too, laughter can improve your immune system and mood.

A study among people with cancer found that people in the laughter intervention group experienced more stress relief than those who were simply distracted.

4. Spend Time With Family and Friends!
Having a rich social life can alleviate stress. Spending time with the people you love releases oxytocin that is a natural stress reliever!

5. Learn To Say No!
Not all factors causing stress are within your control. But, you can always try to be selective of the responsibilities you take on, especially when it comes to work. Taking on more than you can handle, and then trying to juggle it all successfully, can cause a lot of stress.

6. Be Mindful Of Procrastination!
Prioritize your tasks — and stay on top of it! Prepare a to-do list every day, and give yourself realistic deadlines. This way you can avoid the last-minute stress of trying to get too much done in a short period!

7. Cultivate Hobbies!
Having hobbies can give you the much-needed break from the routine, and refresh your mind. Often, distraction is the best remedy for stress. Listening to music, some light reading, painting, or something you enjoy doing, can work wonders for your stress levels!

8. Get A Pet!
If you aren’t allergic to fur, you can always think of getting a pet. Pets can be incredible stress relievers. They keep you active and provide companionship, which can improve your mood by leaps and bounds!

Do not deprive yourself of anything, but make sure your body and mind do not fall into the trap of chronic stress. If you feel that the stress you face in your life is bogging you down, seek help. Pronto. You can lower the risk of getting a stroke by about 24%!!


--
Has a stroke left you or your loved one struggling to regain full functionality in your arm or hand? Introducing the Neofect Smart Rehab, a biofeedback training device.

Repetition is the key to increase mobility. Neofect Smart Rehab encourages repetition in a fun, engaging way through interactive gamified training games, challenging you to improve arm and hand function through neuroplasticity which is the brain's ability to retrain itself after an injury. Through repetition, you can strengthen other pathways in the brain to improve the use of your affected side.

Call us (888) 623-8984 or email us at info@neofect.com to start your smart rehab with the Neofect today.

*Neofect Home Inquiry:
-www.neofect.com
-Phone: (888) 623-8984


RELATED POSTS

Early warning signs of stroke that you need to know
early warning signs of stroke
Early warning signs of stroke that you need to know
Knowing what to look for can mean the difference between life and death, or the difference between saving and losing vital brain cells that help you function.
Warning Signs of Stroke: What to Notice
Stroke Prevention
Warning Signs of Stroke: What to Notice
Have you ever wondered what it may look or feel like when a person is having a stroke? A stroke can happen to anyone at any time; it will not stop to think about whether you are in the middle of something like working, grocery shopping, or driving.
How to regain hand grasp and function
NeoMano
How to regain hand grasp and function
The ability to do these simple tasks reduces dependency on others, improves potential for employment and enhances quality of life.
using-neofect-smartglove-to-maximize-constraint-induced-movement-therapy
Neuroplasticity
Using the Neofect Smart Glove to Maximize Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy
Constraint Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT) is used to treat people with Hemiplegia by constraining or restricting movement of the non-affected hand to force a person to use their affected hand.
Hemiplegia vs. HemiparesisHemiplegia vs. Hemiparesis
Hemiplegia and hemiparesis could seem very similar because they sometimes have the same underlying symptoms. However, they have different meanings.
What  does  a  drop  foot  brace  do?
Foot drop
What Does A Foot Drop Brace Do?
Are you contemplating to buy a drop foot brace? Here is the check list you need to consider before buying one.