Can Stress Cause a Stroke?

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Stress is the body's response to a strainful situation where the danger may be real or perceived. Stress causes the body to sweat, the heart to pound faster, and the muscles to tense. Apparently, this response prepares the body to take quick action. However, when experienced too often, stress can become a serious problem.  

Can stress cause a stroke? 

Stress, stroke, and heart attack have undeniable links to each other. Stress causes the heart to work harder, enhances blood pressure, and increases blood sugar and fat levels. This, in turn, increases the chance of clot formation and makes it hard for the blood to reach the heart or brain, causing a heart attack or stroke. 

Additionally, a stressful lifestyle can perturb the balance of your life. People with excessively stress-packed routines often fall back on unhealthy coping actions such as mindless eating, oversleeping, or sleeplessness, to name a few. These unhealthy patterns can also increase the risk of enduring serious chronic concerns like hypertension, headache, chest pain, and more.  

Stress and Stroke – What Statistics Say? 

Stroke statistics show that every year in the United States, more than 795,000 people have targeted a stroke, a leading cause of death in Americans. The risk of stroke increases with age. However, stroke has no age bar. There is a possibility it can occur at any age. Although stroke is a medical emergency and needs prompt treatment, there is a chance of minimizing brain damage and related complications. 

What does a Stroke feel like?   

  • Sudden numbness or weakness in the limbs  
  • Sudden confusion, trouble speaking  
  • The sudden problem with vision  
  • Difficulty in understanding words or actions  
  • Severe headache with no known cause  
  • Sudden problems with walking  
  • Loss of balance  
  • Lack of coordination  

 

 

What does stress feel like? 

Tips to Manage Stress 

It is natural to feel stress during traumatic events, and you can't stop being stressed, but you can learn how to manage stress. Here are some ways to cope with stress. 

  1. Regular exercise: Physical activity in your daily living can relax your body and mind, which helps you reduce anxiety, depression, or fatigue. Being physically active can promote normal growth and development, improve overall health, and reduce stress or the risk of various chronic diseases
  2. Deep Breathing: Doing yoga by inhaling and exhaling a few deep breaths can take your pressure off and helps in stress management. You can be good at it if you follow these steps: 
  • Sitting in a straight, comfortable position while keeping your hands in your lap and your feet on the floor crossed. Place a cushion before positioning. 
  • Eyes should be closed. 
  • Fantasize yourself in a relaxing zone, anywhere that gives you a calm feeling. 
  • Take a deep breath, hold for a moment, and then breathe out slowly. 
  • Repeat this process in your comfort. 
  1. Get a good amount of sleep: Inadequate sleep due to neck, head, or back pain may be of uncomfortable bedding, which can make you fall into stressful situations leading to health issues. A specific routine of sleep with comfort helps deal with stress and promotes better body functioning. 
  2. Eat nutritious meals: Apart from taking a well-balanced and nutritional diet to support a healthy immune system, some special nutrients should be included for good brain health. It provides additional energy to the brain for destress definition. 
  3. Muscle Relaxation: Muscles get tense when stressed, leading to chronic pain. Tight muscles can be loosened by stretching or massage therapy. Additionally, these keep your muscles strong, flexible, and healthy, which further maintains the range of motion in joints. 

Living a stress-free life is next to impossible. However, some options are always to reduce stress and manage daily life. If the abovementioned tips for stress management do not curb your stress levels and make it hard to live a happy life, it is about time you seek medical help for an extensive medical addressal of your problem.  

 

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