Prolonged anxiety ‘raises long-term stroke risk’

A new US study has revealed that high anxiety levels can increase a person's risk of stroke in the long term.

Led by the University of Pittsburgh, the study assessed a nationally representative group of 6,019 people aged between 25 and 74 years old over a 22-year period. Participants underwent an interview, blood tests, medical examinations and psychological questionnaires to gauge anxiety and depression levels.

It was found that even modest increases in anxiety were associated with greater stroke risk, with those in the highest third of anxiety symptoms having a 33 percent greater stroke risk than those with the lowest levels.

This is the first study in which researchers have linked anxiety and stroke independently of other factors such as depression.

Dr Maya Lambiase, lead author and cardiovascular behavioral medicine researcher in the department of psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, said: "Everyone has some anxiety now and then. But when it's elevated and/or chronic, it may have an effect on your vasculature years down the road."

Every year in England, more than 150,000 people have a stroke. It is the third largest cause of death in the country, after heart disease and cancer.