According to a new study psychosocial stress, including work stress, is associated with an increased risk of stroke.
This research, conducted at the University of Galway’s College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, examined the levels of stress in more than 26,000 individuals across Europe, Asia, North and South America, the Middle East and Africa.
Their research discovered that the occurrence of any stressful life event increased the risk of stroke by 17 per cent, with the occurrence of two or more stressful life events increasing the risk of stroke to 31 per cent.
They found that increased stress at home and work, as well as recent stressful life events such as divorce, is directly linked to an increase in both ischaemic and haemorrhagic stroke.
Individuals that reported severe work stress were more than twice as likely to have ischaemic stroke, and over five times as likely to have a haemorrhagic stroke compared to those who reported no work stress.
The increased risk was lower in adults who “reported feeling more in control.”
Study lead, Dr Catriona Reddin, says: “Approximately 7,500 Irish people have a stroke, an estimated 30,000 people are living in Ireland with disabilities as a result of a stroke and annually about 2,000 Irish people die as a result of stroke. In this latest INTERSTROKE study we looked at self-reported stress.
“In people who reported severe home stress, the increase in stroke risk was lower in those who felt that what happens in life is determined by factors within their control.
“Similarly, in individuals who reported severe work stress, the increase in stroke risk was lower in people who felt that they had control over what happens in work, in most situations, compared to people who felt that they had little control over their work life.”
Professor Martin O’Donnell, who co-led the INTERSTROKE study, says: “Stroke is the most common cause of adult disability globally. Stroke prevention is crucial and the more we understand about the disease the better equipped physicians and the public can be to mitigate the risks.
“The INTERSTROKE study is giving us a better understanding of the importance of conventional and emerging risk factors of stroke in different regions and ethnic groups globally, which are required to help prevention. We know that the best ways to prevent stroke are to eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly, and avoid smoking and drinking too much alcohol.
“In this latest study we got deeper insights into how work and life related stresses can contribute to stroke. The findings suggest that higher locus of control is associated with lower risk of stroke and may be an important effect modifier of the risk associated with psychosocial stress.”
The INTERSTROKE study is one of the largest international studies of risk factors for stroke, analysing data from 26,000 individuals in 27 countries since 2007.
