Stroke may be triggered by anger, upset and physical exertion, findings from a recent global study suggest.
The research found that one in 11 survivors experienced a period of anger or upset in the hour leading up to their stroke while one in 20 had engaged in heavy physical exertion.
The suspected triggers were identified as part of the global INTERSTROKE study – the largest research project of its kind.
Researchers analysed 13,462 cases of acute stroke among patients with a range of ethnicities across 32 countries.
Study author Professor Andrew Smyth, Professor of Clinical Epidemiology at National University of Ireland Galway, said:
“Stroke prevention is a priority for physicians, and despite advances it remains difficult to predict when a stroke will occur.
“Many studies have focused on medium to long-term exposures, such as hypertension, obesity or smoking. Our study aimed to look at acute exposures that may act as triggers.”
The researchers analysed patterns of both ischemic stroke and intracerebral haemorrhage which is much less common.
The study found that anger or emotional upset was linked to an approximate 30 per cent increase in stroke risk within an hour after the episode.
There was a greater risk if the patient had no history of depression, as well as in patients with a lower level of education.
Meanwhile, heavy exertion was linked to an approximately 60 per cent increase in the risk of intracerebral haemorrhage within an hour.
Women were at greater risk here while those with a normal BMI were at a lower risk.
Co-author of the paper, Dr Michelle Canavan, Consultant Stroke Physician at Galway University Hospitals, said:
“Our message is for people to practice mental and physical wellness at all ages.
“But it is also important for some people to avoid heavy physical exertion, particularly if they are high-risk of cardiovascular, while also adopting a healthy lifestyle of regular exercise.”
