New Study Links Anxiety to Stroke

High Anxiety Increases the Risk of Stroke

High anxiety levels are independently related with the risk of having a stroke, according to new research published in the American Heart Association journal Stroke.

The researchers studied a 22-year sample of 6019 people between the ages of 25 and 74 in the first National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES I), tracking stroke rates through hospital records, nursing home reports, and death certificates. The highest third of people on the anxiety scale, especially those with chronic high stress, showed a one-third higher rate of strokes compared with those lower on the scale.

Previous research was unable to separate anxiety from other factors such as depression, but this new study was able to isolate these factors, showing that even modest increases in anxiety correlated with a higher stroke risk. High anxiety individuals may be more likely to smoke or engage in other unhealthy habits, which may help explain part of the correlation, though physiological factors such as hormone levels and blood pressure may also be directly linked to high psychological anxiety levels. Anxiety is a complex psychological and physiological dimension which can influence and be influenced by unhealthy habits, medical problems, behaviors, and thought patterns.

Chiropractic Adjustment can be beneficial in relieving anxiety, in combination with healthy lifestyle choices including proper diet, exercise, and regular restful sleep. Thousands of people have received help for their anxiety from the beneficial results of Chiropractic Adjustment. I have treated many people over the past thirty-four years suffering from chronic anxiety, who now live healthier lives with less anxiety. In the United States, stroke is the #4 cause of death and the leading cause of disability. No one should have to suffer with high anxiety, which can rob a life of both quality and quantity.

Dr. Michael Petrie, D.C.
Spine and Joint Center