Can Stress Cause a Stroke? What Lake Mills Seniors Need to Know

According to UTMB Health, there are about 795,000 strokes every year among adults in the United States. Of these, about 1 in every four are victims who have already had at least one stroke. Can stress cause a stroke, or is the condition unrelated?

Lake Mills is a great location to avoid stress. Our proximity to some of Wisconsin's best attractions, such as Aztalan State Park or Rock Lake, is great for staying in nature and reducing your stress. But what are some other methods of senior stroke prevention?

If you're curious about the effects of stress on aging and managing your stress, we're here to help. Read on for more information on high blood pressure risks and stress management.

Can Stress Cause a Stroke?

There is some debate over whether stress is able to cause a stroke. Conflicting reports and studies can sometimes support or disprove this belief. However, the ultimate trend is toward more evidence saying that strokes are often caused by stress.

The conflict is that stress on its own will not cause a stroke. Rather, stress can cause conditions in your body that will ultimately lead to a stroke.

How Does Stress Cause a Stroke?

With that said, how is stress causing strokes? Here are some of the main ways that a high-stress level can improve your likelihood of a stroke.

Increased Inflammation

One of the main ways is through inflammation. According to the National Institutes of Health, stress can disturb the balance of our immune system and hormonal system.

Stress can trigger the release of the hormone cortisol. When this hormone is constantly elevated, this can damage our body's ability to regulate inflammation.

As that inflammation then continues, it can put greater pressure on our cardiovascular system. When this occurs, it can cause significant high blood pressure risks that ultimately end in stroke.

There's more to inflammation than stroke risks. The same inflammation can cause fatigue, worsen your immune system, and lead to issues with your mood. Avoiding stress can help you to lessen these symptoms.

Hypertension and High Blood Pressure

Perhaps the most famous symptoms of stress are hypertension and high blood pressure. These symptoms can damage your cardiovascular system's ability to transport oxygen around your body.

They also can cause more strain than your cardiovascular system can handle. The result is a heightened risk of cardiac arrest or other heart issues as well as stroke.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 70% of adults aged 60 or older are battling hypertension. That makes it critical for seniors to battle the effects of stress on aging by managing their stress levels. As stress is one of the highest high blood pressure risks, keeping your stress in check is paramount.

Worsening Cardiovascular Conditions

As mentioned, stress alone is not what causes a stroke. Instead, the symptoms that stress causes will often lead to stroke. In many cases, this is most true for cardiovascular conditions.

Placing more strain on your heart can lead to more than cardiac arrest. Your body will burn up its energy trying to properly oxygenate your blood. If you aren't getting enough exercise, your cardiovascular system is likely already fighting as hard as it can.

Your blood pressure, cardiovascular system, and mind are closely tied together. Keeping one healthy will often aid the other. Reduce strain on your cardiovascular system by avoiding stress to help with senior stroke prevention.

How to Manage Your Stress

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.

Social Activity

One of the greatest sources of stress for seniors is loneliness. A study from Michigan Medicine shows that about 33% of seniors and older adults deal with feelings of loneliness. In some cases, the number rises to as high as 42% of seniors.

The loneliness epidemic is a real problem that needs genuine solutions, and those solutions start in the hands of seniors. Seeking out chances to socialize and make a network of friends is paramount.

One of the best ways to do so is to look for chances to socialize in your community. Here at LakeHouse Lake Mills, we offer activities and group outings that help you to socialize with your peers. Browse our activity calendar to see what we're offering.

Proper Rest and Diet

Another crucial way that seniors can manage their stress is with proper rest and diet. Not getting enough rest makes it so that our bodies don't have time to destress and relax. Without this chance to restore ourselves, the feelings of stress remain and compound.

Ensure that you're getting adequate rest by avoiding caffeine too late at night and sleeping in a comfortable environment. You should speak to a medical professional if you're having difficulty sleeping.

While speaking to a medical professional, take the time to discuss your diet with them. A healthy and nutritious diet can help your body keep the energy it needs to fight off the effects of stress.

Exercising and Meditation

Exercise has long been proven as the greatest way to reduce stress and improve our health. Exercise is shown to release endorphins in our mind, neurotransmitters that help to reduce stress and improve our mood.

Exercise will also help your cardiovascular system remain in better shape, improving your blood flow and the transportation of oxygen around your body. We also recommend meditation as a way to practice mindfulness and unwind from a stressful day.

Working to Manage Stress

Can stress cause a stroke? While stress itself will not cause a stroke, it can put your body in the conditions required to have a severe stroke. The risk is greatest for seniors who have already suffered one stroke.

Here at LakeHouse Lake Mills, our feature-rich apartments are the ideal comfort to enjoy your golden years in. Our residents enjoy a lively atmosphere full of games, socialization, and the beauty of a stress-free stay. Contact us today to see how we can help you improve your life.