Stroke is one of the leading causes of death and long-term disability around the world. It happens when the brain suddenly loses its blood supply or when a blood vessel inside the brain bursts.
Because brain cells need a constant supply of oxygen and nutrients, they begin to die within minutes when blood flow stops. This can lead to problems with speaking, walking, memory, vision, and movement.
Some people recover well, while others are left with lifelong disabilities. Every year, millions of people around the world experience a stroke, making it a major public health concern.
There are two main types of stroke. The most common is an ischemic stroke, which happens when a blood clot blocks an artery supplying blood to the brain. The second type is called an intracerebral hemorrhage, which occurs when a blood vessel breaks and bleeds into the brain. Both types are medical emergencies and require immediate treatment.
Doctors have long known that conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, high cholesterol, obesity, and irregular heart rhythms increase the long-term risk of stroke. However, researchers have also wondered whether certain events occurring shortly before a stroke might temporarily increase the chance of it happening.
A new study led by Professor Andrew Smyth from the National University of Ireland has provided important clues. The research was published in the European Heart Journal and used information from the INTERSTROKE study, the world’s largest international research project investigating stroke risk.
The study included 13,462 people who had experienced a stroke in 32 countries. Participants had an average age of 62 years and came from many different ethnic and cultural backgrounds. By studying such a large and diverse group, the researchers hoped to identify triggers that might apply to people around the world.
The team found that strong negative emotions may temporarily increase stroke risk. About one in every eleven participants reported feeling very angry, upset, or emotionally distressed during the hour before their stroke.
These emotional events were linked to about a 30 percent higher risk of stroke. Interestingly, the association appeared stronger among people who did not have depression.
The researchers also identified another possible trigger. Around one in twenty participants had performed heavy physical activity shortly before their stroke. This was more strongly linked with strokes caused by bleeding inside the brain than with strokes caused by blood clots.
The increased risk appeared greater in women and in people with a lower body mass index, while people with an average body weight seemed less affected.
The study also showed that experiencing both emotional stress and heavy physical exertion together did not appear to create an even greater risk than either trigger alone.
These findings do not mean that people should avoid exercise. In fact, regular moderate physical activity is one of the best ways to reduce the overall risk of stroke and heart disease.
Instead, the research suggests that people who already have a high risk of stroke may wish to avoid sudden bursts of very intense activity without proper preparation and should discuss suitable exercise with their healthcare provider.
The study also highlights the importance of emotional well-being. Finding healthy ways to manage anger and stress, getting enough sleep, staying socially connected, practicing relaxation techniques, and seeking professional help when needed may all support overall heart and brain health.
Although this research identified possible short-term triggers, it does not prove that these events directly cause strokes. Most strokes result from many different risk factors building up over many years. Even so, recognizing situations that may temporarily raise risk could help people and doctors better understand when extra caution may be needed.
Overall, the findings suggest that caring for both physical and emotional health plays an important role in stroke prevention. Combined with regular medical care, healthy eating, controlling blood pressure, not smoking, staying active, and taking prescribed medicines, these habits may help lower the risk of stroke and protect long-term brain health.
If you care about stroke, please read studies that diets high in flavonoids could help reduce stroke risk, and MIND diet could slow down cognitive decline after stroke.
For more health information, please see recent studies about antioxidants that could help reduce the risk of dementia, and tea and coffee may help lower your risk of stroke, dementia.
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