A study published on March 5, 2025, in Neurology®, the journal of the American Academy of Neurology, reveals that chronic stress may elevate the risk of stroke in younger women, though not in men. The research highlights a concerning association between stress levels and stroke in individuals aged 18 to 49, particularly among women, although it does not establish a direct cause-and-effect relationship.
The study, led by Dr. Nicolas Martinez-Majander of Helsinki University Hospital, examined the role of stress in triggering ischemic strokes—those caused by blocked blood flow to the brain. Ischemic strokes can result in serious symptoms such as weakness, speech difficulties, vision problems, and even death. Of the 426 participants who experienced an ischemic stroke, researchers found that stress appeared to be more prevalent in women than men, though this association was not observed in male participants.
“Young adults often face significant stress due to work pressures, long hours, job insecurity, and financial struggles. Our findings suggest that chronic stress could increase the risk of stroke, especially in younger women,” said Dr. Martinez-Majander.
For the study, participants were asked to complete a one-month stress survey, providing insights into their stress levels prior to their stroke. They responded to questions such as, “In the last month, how often have you felt unable to control the important things in your life?” Scores were categorized into three ranges: 0-13 for low stress, 14-26 for moderate stress, and 27-40 for high stress. Those who had suffered a stroke had an average stress score of 13, compared to an average of 10 in the healthy control group.
The results showed that individuals who had experienced a stroke were more likely to report moderate or high stress levels. Nearly half (46%) of stroke patients reported moderate or high stress, compared to just 33% in the control group.
After adjusting for other risk factors such as education level, alcohol use, and blood pressure, the study found that moderate stress was associated with a 78% increased risk of stroke for women, while high stress was linked to a 6% increased risk. However, no such connection was found in male participants.
“We need further research to understand why stress affects stroke risk in women but not men, and why moderate stress seems to pose a greater risk than high stress,” said Dr. Martinez-Majander. “A better understanding of how stress influences stroke risk could lead to improved prevention strategies.”
A limitation of the study is the possibility that individuals experiencing higher stress levels were less likely to participate, which could have skewed the findings.
The research was supported by the Helsinki and Uusimaa Hospital District, the Academy of Finland, the Finnish Medical Foundation, the Sigrid Jusélius Foundation, and Sahlgrenska University Hospital.
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