For the first time, researchers have found stress may lead to an increased risk of stroke in middle-aged white men. Results from a study conducted over an 11-year period show men whose blood pressure went up when anticipating an exercise tolerance test to diagnose heart disease had a 72 percent greater risk of having a stroke than those whose blood pressure did not go up when anticipating the test. The investigators believe their results fit into a growing body of evidence on the mind-body link to disease development. To determine the men's reaction to stress, researchers compared their resting blood pressure readings with readings taken just before the exercise tolerance test. In addition to showing a 72 percent increased risk for any kind of stroke, men who had elevated readings before the test had an 87 percent greater risk of ischemic stroke.
Ischemic stroke is caused by a blood clot and is the most common type of stroke.
Researchers also found a link between stroke and educational levels of the men. Those with the least amount of education had an increased risk of stroke compared with those with more education. The risk increased even further when combined with high blood pressure readings right before the exercise tolerance test. Those men had three times the risk of stroke when compared to their better educated, less stressed counterparts.