Women who reported having been stalked or who had obtained a restraining order were more likely to experience heart attacks and strokes later in life, according to a new study published in the American Heart Association’s journal, Circulation.
The study, led by Dr. Rebecca B. Lawn from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and the University of British Columbia, found that these often-overlooked forms of violence may have long-term effects on women’s heart health.
About 1 in 3 women in the U.S. have experienced stalking, yet this form of violence is rarely considered in cardiovascular research. The study analyzed data from more than 66,000 women enrolled in the Nurses’ Health Study II between 2001 and 2021.
At the start, none of the women had cardiovascular disease. Researchers asked if they had been stalked or had ever taken out a restraining order, which was considered an indicator of severe violence.
The key findings include:
– Nearly 12% of the women reported being stalked.
– Almost 6% reported obtaining a restraining order.
– Over 20 years, about 3% developed heart disease or had a stroke.
– Women who reported stalking were 41% more likely to develop cardiovascular disease than those who didn’t.
– Women who had taken out restraining orders were 70% more likely to report cardiovascular disease.
The link remained strong even after adjusting for other factors like health habits, medication use, childhood abuse, and depression symptoms.
Dr. Lawn emphasized the seriousness of stalking, even if it doesn’t involve physical contact. “Stalking can be chronic and life-altering. Many women have to move or change routines because they feel unsafe,” she said.
Dr. Harmony R. Reynolds, a cardiology expert not involved in the study, noted that stressful life experiences such as grief and trauma are already known to raise heart risks. “Feeling unsafe for long periods takes a toll on the body.
The heart and brain are closely connected when it comes to stress,” Reynolds said. She added that social support—talking to trusted people—can help reduce these effects.
While the exact biological mechanism was not examined in this study, the researchers believe chronic stress may damage blood vessels and disrupt normal body functions, leading to higher cardiovascular risk.
The study had some limitations. Most participants were non-Hispanic white U.S. nurses, so the findings may not apply to all populations.
Previous research shows that stalking and violence may be more common in women from racial or ethnic minority backgrounds or with lower income. Also, stalking and restraining orders were self-reported by participants, which may affect accuracy.
Dr. Lawn called for more research and more training for health professionals to recognize the health risks linked to violence. “We need to raise awareness that emotional and psychological abuse, including stalking, can have lasting effects on physical health,” she said.
If you care about heart health, please read studies about a surprising link between alcohol drinking and heart health and both blood pressure numbers can predict heart disease risk.
For more about heart health, please read studies about a new cause of heart rhythm disorders and eating just one cup of nitrate-rich vegetables daily can reduce heart disease risk.
The study is published in Circulation.
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