It's known that stress from work is bad for your health, including causing an increase in your risk for cardiovascular disease, particularly high blood pressure and heart disease. If you've wondered specifically if stress can cause a stroke, too, the answer is unfortunately, yes.
According to a 2018 study in the journal Current Cardiology Reports, working 55 hours or more per week may increase your risk for coronary heart disease and stroke, possibly related to a higher risk of atrial fibrillation. This is the most common type of arrhythmia, and it's a major risk factor for stroke.
High stress leads the body to produce more stress hormones like adrenaline. These hormones raise blood pressure, increase the work load on the heart, strain blood vessels, and increase the likelihood of irregular heartbeats known as atrial fibrillation that are a major cause of stroke, Dr.
Feeling stressed all the time could raise your risk of heart attack and stroke, according to a new study.
Too much work can be damaging to your mental and physical health. You're more likely to suffer from adverse health problems, including neck, back, or chest pain, stroke, coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and anxiety.
If you're overworked, your cortisol levels (the primary stress hormone) increase which can lead to brain fog, high blood pressure and a host of other health problems. “It's like a car trying to run with a very limited amount of gas in the tank,” says Dr. Borland.
But the symptoms of anxiety are very real, and many of them resemble a stroke-like experience, for example: Difficulty thinking or formulating thoughts. Feeling like limbs or muscles cannot move. Blurry vision or dizziness.
According to research that appeared in Stroke, an American Heart Association journal, middle-aged and older individuals with high levels of stress, depression, and hostility were subject to a significantly higher risk of stroke or TIA (Transient Ischemic Attack, commonly known as “mini-stroke”).
Inflammation can come from increased cortisol—a stress hormone—that changes when you're sleep-deprived. The inflammation raises your risk for arterial hypertension, heart disease and stroke. Meager sleep also increases heart rate and blood pressure, putting you at even higher risk for stroke.
Several studies have reported no significant relationships between fatigue and stroke location or fatigue and stroke type.
A recent study published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology found that increased instances of burnout can lead to a potentially deadly irregular heart rhythm known as Atrial fibrillation, or AFib, which can lead to blood clots, stroke, heart failure and other heart-related complications.
Some people will experience symptoms such as headache, numbness or tingling several days before they have a serious stroke. One study found that 43% of stroke patients experienced mini-stroke symptoms up to a week before they had a major stroke.
What is Pre-Stroke? Sometimes, there is a smaller, temporary clot that is quickly resolved, though the symptoms will be similar thanks to the effect such clots have on the brain. This is known as a Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) or “Pre-Stroke,” and often points to a more life-threatening attack on its way.
According to the study authors, anger or emotional upset was linked to an approximately 30% higher risk of having a stroke within one hour of experiencing those emotions. Another potential stroke trigger revealed by the study was heavy physical exertion, although the evidence was less convincing.
A silent stroke refers to a stroke that doesn't cause any noticeable symptoms. Most strokes are caused by a clot that blocks a blood vessel in the brain. The blockage prevents blood and oxygen from reaching that area, causing nearby brain cells to die.
“Under the age of 50, most stroke mimics are migraines, epilepsy, seizures, multiple sclerosis or high blood pressure that causes swelling in the brain,” he said. “Over the age of 50, most patients experiencing a stroke mimic are the result of epilepsy, metabolic derangement or a mass lesion in the brain.”
Having a busy schedule can lead to stress, and without winding down, your body will show for it. You may end up with a cough, runny or stuffy nose, a fever, and you may feel fatigued. This is your body letting you know that you're overworking yourself and it's time to rest.
When your mind won't let go of your workday to the extent that it's interfering with your nighttime recovery efforts, it means that your stress level is too high. Constant late night work sessions, even when done from home, are also a red flag of too much stress at work.
It's important to recognize that there can be negative health concerns that come with working a 12 hour shift. Consistently working long shifts can contribute to sleep disorders, obesity and chronic fatigue. It can be difficult to get enough sleep or stick to a regular sleep schedule.