Stress as a risk factor for stroke – which levels are dangerous? Observations from the Population Study of Women in Gothenburg

Linda Sandin

Keywords: stress, stroke, women, preventive work

Background:

During the last decades, psychological stress has been increasingly recognized as an important and independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease, including stroke. There have also been indications that the effect of stress on stroke risk is more pronounced in women. The possible cumulative effect of psychological stress, makes it an appropriate target for early interventions in clinical care. However, mental stress is very common in women and little is known about what levels of stress that are actually harmful and thus suitable to aim in the preventive work.

Research questions:

The aim of this study is to investigate the potential associations between different levels of perceived mental stress in Swedish women and the risk of later first-time stroke.

Method:

A representative sample of 2288 women of different ages from the Population Study of Women in Gothenburg, a prospective observational study initiated in 1968. The selection of the women was based on birth date and the information obtained from the Revenue Office Register. Perceived mental stress was measured using a form with a six-point scale at the women's baseline examination. First-time stroke was investigated from the time of the women’s baseline examination and until the end of December 2020. Information about stroke was retrieved from hospital-based registers. 

Results:

Preliminary results of the potential associations between different levels of mental stress and later risk of first-time stroke will be presented.

Conclusions:

Stress is an important risk factor for stroke which is not always addressed in primary care to the same extent as other known risk factors, like hypertension. Considering how common mental stress is in women, knowledge about what levels that are harmful, could be used when selecting women with possible benefits from preventive measures.

Points for discussion:

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