Reasons why stress causes a higher risk of stroke in women
A recent study published in the journal Neurology has shown that stress can be a higher risk factor for stroke in women than men.
Researchers found that chronic stress is clearly linked to the risk of stroke in young women (aged 18 to 49) but did not see a similar link in men. In particular, moderate stress levels can increase the risk of stroke in women by up to 78%.
The link between stress and stroke
The study was conducted by a team of experts at the University of Helsinki Hospital, Finland, with 426 people having a stroke due to local anemia and 426 people not having a stroke.
The results showed that people with stroke have significantly higher stress levels than healthy people. Although the research team did not show that stress is a direct cause of stroke, they confirmed that stress can contribute to factors such as high blood pressure and inflammation. These are 2 main factors that increase the risk of stroke.
Chronic stress and risk of stroke
Chronic stress can increase blood pressure, heart rate, and blood sugar and fat levels, facilitating the formation of blood clots, causing blood vessel blockage and leading to stroke.
Stress can also lead to unhealthy habits such as smoking, drinking alcohol, and an unscientific diet, which increase the risk of stroke.
Why are women more susceptible to stress than men?
According to Dr. PN Renjen, consultant psychologist at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, Delhi (India), women are more sensitive to stress hormones.
In addition to biological factors, women also face many pressures from work, family and society, making them susceptible to stress and burnout. They also tend to do many things at the same time and take on the responsibility of taking care of their families, creating great psychological pressure.
Stress reduction solutions for women
To effectively reduce stress, women can take healthy coping measures such as exercise, yoga practice or meditation.
In addition, it is also important to seek emotional support from friends or experts. Participating in self-care or personal favorite activities will help reduce stress.
To cope with stress immediately, techniques such as deep breathing, positive self-talk, or temporarily getting out of a stressful situation can help the body relax, reduce heart rate and stress. Mindfulness meditation is an effective technique for focusing on the present and reducing anxiety.
