According to statistics provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are nearly 800,000 strokes a year among American adults. About 610,000 of these are first-time strokes, while the remainder are repeated afflictions. But can stress cause a stroke, and if so, how?
Independence is a wonderful community to live in to keep your stress down. As a small city, our location in Buchanan County, Iowa, puts us in a great spot to see some of the state's most in-demand attractions. Whether you're here for the rich history, the Wapsipinicon Mill, or the horse races, Independence is lucky to have you.
If you're curious about the effects of stress on aging and how you can manage senior stroke prevention, we're here to help. Read on to learn more about high blood pressure risks and what you can do to keep your mind and body healthy.
In some cases, medical professionals are split on whether stress can directly cause a stroke. The simplified answer is yes, but there's much more nuance at play than a simple black-or-white answer.
The full answer is that stress on its own does not cause a stroke. Instead, stress can put your body in a condition that makes a stroke more likely.
So, can stress cause a stroke? Ultimately, yes, stress can be the cause of a stroke. Here are the main ways that stress can cause your body to have a stroke.
One of the most well-known symptoms of stress is high blood pressure. Also called hypertension, high blood pressure is a condition wherein our heart is pushing blood too hard. As a result, the blood presses against our artery walls and hearts with too much pressure, which can cause damage to our organs.
When this damage occurs, it can drastically worsen the effects of stress on aging. Managing stress for seniors often starts with managing our blood pressure.
Hypertension is also exceptionally common among seniors and older adults. According to the CDC, more than 70% of adults aged 60 or older are battling hypertension to some degree. Due to stress's relationship with these effects, seniors must manage their stress to reduce the severity of hypertension.
Another common way that stress causes a stroke is through inflammation. Stress disturbs the balance of both our immune system and our hormonal system. But how?
According to the National Institutes of Health, stress triggers the release of the hormone cortisol. In small amounts or infrequently, cortisol doesn't cause negative effects. However, stress can flood our hormonal system with cortisol, which damages our ability to regulate and control inflammation.
As this inflammation worsens, it puts greater pressure on our cardiovascular system. As a result, it causes significantly high blood pressure, which can cause risks that end in stroke. These high blood pressure risks also can cause fatigue, mood swings, and more.
In short, stress causes inflammation, which can cause a stroke. Managing stress will help to prevent this.
Can stress cause a stroke? While stress cannot directly cause a stroke, managing your stress is the first step in senior stroke prevention. Here are some tips for managing stress for seniors.
A crucial way that seniors can work to manage their stress is through proper rest and diet. Not getting enough rest puts our bodies in a position where we aren't able to restore or "repair" the effects of stress.
When we rest, our bodies go into a sort of "maintenance mode." During this time, our bodies work to repair muscles and consolidate our memories. According to the American Psychological Association, not being able to sleep long enough means our bodies won't get these benefits.
Getting the right rest is often difficult. You may want to speak to your doctor about your issues with resting if you're struggling to maintain a healthy sleep schedule.
Furthermore, a healthy diet is vital to maintaining our body's health. Feeding your body with a wholesome diet will help ensure you get the nutrients you need to manage your energy levels and rest.
Exercise is arguably the best way to reduce stress and improve our health. Studies have shown that exercise releases endorphins, a neurotransmitter that helps to reduce our stress and improve our mood. According to the Mayo Clinic, exercise in almost any form can act as a stress reliever.
Finding healthy and safe exercises can challenge some seniors. We urge you to speak to a medical professional to find an exercise regimen that is both safe and effective for you. Straining your body while exercising can ultimately worsen your health and increase stress.
We also encourage mindful activities, such as meditation, reflection, and journaling. These "mental exercises" can help to reduce stress by giving you an outlet and allowing you to face the stress head-on.
One of the greatest challenges for seniors is battling loneliness. Many seniors feel lonely due to being away from their family and loved ones, which dramatically harms brain health in older adults.
According to Michigan Medicine, about 33% of seniors and older adults dealt with feelings of loneliness in 2018. As of 2024, that number had increased to as high as 42% of seniors.
The best way to battle loneliness is to engage with your community. At Prairie Hills at Independence, we believe everyone deserves to feel valued and supported. Our activity calendar is a great way to catch our social activities, from rousing games of mahjong to educational classes for the world's eternal students.
Ultimately, the best way to reduce your stress is to remove the source of it. If you can pinpoint what's stressing you out, handling the situation instead of ignoring it will always prove effective.
Can stress cause a stroke, or is this a myth? While stress itself cannot cause a stroke, it can cause the conditions which cause a stroke.
Here at Prairie Hills Independence Assisted Living and Memory Care, we pride ourselves on creating a relaxing and stressless environment. Snuggled along the Wapsipinicon River, our community provides you with excellent meals, stellar classes, and riveting game nights. Contact us today to see how you can join our lovely