New York: Everyone experiences bouts of anxiety now and then. But when it's elevated or reaches chronic levels, it may affect your heart down the road.
That is the finding of a new study that has directly linked greater anxiety levels to higher risk of having a stroke.
The study is the first in which researchers linked anxiety and stroke independent of other factors such as depression. Anxiety disorders are one of the most prevalent mental health problems. Symptoms include feeling unusually worried, stressed, nervous or tense.
Researchers tracked strokes through hospital or nursing home reports and death certificates. After accounting for other factors, they found that even modest increases in anxiety were associated with greater stroke risk.
"People in the highest third of anxiety symptoms had a 33 percent higher stroke risk than those with the lowest levels," said Maya Lambiase, study author and cardiovascular behavioural medicine researcher at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in Pittsburgh.
People with high anxiety levels are more likely to smoke and be physically inactive, possibly explaining part of the anxiety-stroke link. Higher stress hormone levels, heart rate or blood pressure could also be factors, Lambiase added.
In contrast to anxiety, depression is a persistent feeling of hopelessness, dejection and lack of energy, among other symptoms.
The findings of the study have been published in the American Heart Association's official journal Stroke.
Comments
| Quick linksNews
National
International
Regional
Politics
Education & Career
Business
Science & Technology
Health
Views & Analysis
The Funny Side
© 2012 Awaz Multimedia & Publications. All rights reserved.
Global Vacc al-shifa approved as world's first HIB Halal certified vaccineThe Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) Thursday approved the Halal certification accorded to KR Biologial Pte Ltd - Global Vacc al-shifa HIB Vaccine ... More
Also Read: 'Govt. must facilitate industries to produce halal pharmaceutical products'
National Wakf Development Corporation will soon be a reality: Rahman KhanLamenting that about 50 percent of wakf properties were encroached, Khan said the ministry would bring a law to evict the unauthorised occupants of such .... More
First anti incumbency factor is haunting the Congress party. Congress is now in power since 2004 and people are feeling fatigued with its rule. It is obvious that the anti Congress sentiments is going to be cashed by the BJP but will it be able to replace it is something questionable..... More
Abdullah made the announcement on the birth anniversary of his father and NC founder, Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah, in Srinagar despite Congress insiders telling IANS that the NC's coalition partner wanted to field its candidate for at least one..... More
