Heart Health
Anger or emotional upset may trigger stroke
Research we're watching
One in 11 stroke survivors felt angry or upset in the hour before their stroke symptoms began, according to a large international study published Dec. 1, 2021, in the European Heart Journal.
The study included 13,462 people from 32 countries who'd had a stroke. During their first three days in the hospital, they filled out extensive questionnaires about their medical history and what they'd been doing and feeling before their stroke.
According to the study authors, anger or emotional upset was linked to an approximately 30% higher risk of having a stroke within one hour of experiencing those emotions. Another potential stroke trigger revealed by the study was heavy physical exertion, although the evidence was less convincing.
The findings lend further support to the link between mental stress and cardiovascular health.
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About the Author
Julie Corliss, Executive Editor, Harvard Heart Letter
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