Can stress cause a stroke? The link between high blood pressure and brain health

Stress is a predictable part of life, but we often don’t pay enough attention to its effects on our overall health. Most of the time, these may be pretty minor—but in some cases, maybe not so minor. One question that has come up for people is whether stress can lead to a stroke. 

The answer? Possibly. What’s most important to understand is that stress-induced conditions can increase stroke risk, so the key is to figure out what you can do to manage stress effectively.

What happens when you experience stress?

When you become stressed, a series of physiological responses in the body are triggered that can significantly impact your cardiovascular health. Here are some ways stress can contribute to the risk of stroke:

• The physiological response to stress: When under stress, the body releases hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol. These hormones prepare the body to respond to a perceived threat, leading to temporary spikes in heart rate, blood pressure and even blood sugar.
• Impact of stress hormones on the cardiovascular system: Chronic release of stress hormones can have long-term negative effects on your cardiovascular system. Elevated levels of these hormones can cause inflammation, increase blood pressure and lead to plaque buildup in the arteries.
• Long-term effects of chronic stress on health: Over time, chronic stress can weaken your immune system, increase the likelihood of developing chronic conditions such as hypertension (the medical term for high blood pressure) and diabetes, and ultimately elevate the risk of stroke.

It is important to know that you can check your blood pressure yourself. High blood pressure is known as a “silent disease,” so people often don’t even know if they have it. If you are under stress, you may want to get into the habit of checking it yourself at home. If you see that it is high, you can make an appointment with your primary care physician.

Stress-induced hypertension

Many studies have shown a direct link between stress and hypertension. If stress becomes chronic, the temporary spikes in blood pressure from the release of stress hormones can evolve into sustained high blood pressure, significantly straining your heart and blood-gaging vessels.

For these reasons, hypertension is a major risk factor for stroke. Persistent high blood pressure damages arteries, including the arteries in the brain, making them more susceptible to clots that obstruct blood flow to the brain. This blockage results in an ischemic stroke, the most common type, where the brain is deprived of essential oxygen and nutrients. Recognizing the link between stress and hypertension is vital for stroke prevention.

3 effective strategies to manage stress-related hypertension

The key to reducing your risk of stroke is learning how to manage stress levels and keep it from impacting your health. Here are some things you can do to help manage your stress:

1. Regular physical activities, such as walking or yoga, help lower blood pressure and reduce stress levels.
2. Mindfulness techniques, including meditation and deep-breathing exercises, promote relaxation and mental clarity.
3. Speak to your healthcare provider, who can provide personalized advice and interventions for managing both stress and hypertension.

By proactively addressing stress, you can lower your stroke risk and take steps to feel better each day.

Types of strokes related to stress

Understanding the main types of strokes—ischemic and hemorrhagic— is helpful insight into how stress affects brain health.

• Ischemic strokes account for about 87% of all strokes , and they occur when a blood clot blocks blood flow to the brain.
• Hemorrhagic strokes, on the other hand, happen when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures, causing bleeding within or around the brain.

When you’re experiencing chronic stress, the steady release of stress hormones like cortisol often leads to higher blood pressure, as well as increased heart rate, significantly raising the risk of both ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes. In fact, the biggest risk factor for hemorrhagic stroke is hypertension.

Sometimes, stress can also lead to unhealthy coping mechanisms, such as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption or poor dietary choices, further impacting your health and increasing your risk of experiencing a stroke.

5 common signs you might have had a stroke

Recognizing stroke symptoms is critical, especially when stress may play a role. Common stroke signs include the following:

1. Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg—particularly on one side of the body
2. Confusion
3. Trouble speaking or understanding speech
4. Vision problems
5. Loss of balance or coordination

Being aware of these signs enables you to act quickly if you’re ever concerned that you or a loved one has experienced a stroke.

Keep in mind the BEFAST acronym when signs of stroke:

• Balance: Sudden loss of balance or coordination
• Eyes: Blurred vision, double vision or sudden loss of vision in one eye
• Face: Drooping on one side of the face, difficulty smiling or uneven smile
• Arm: Weakness or numbness in one arm
• Speech: Slurred speech, difficulty speaking or inability to understand speech
• Time: Call 911 immediately if you notice any of these symptoms

It's also important to differentiate between symptoms caused by stress and those of a stroke.

Stress can lead to physical symptoms such as headaches, fatigue and elevated heart rate, which might mimic some stroke signs. However, the key difference lies in the sudden onset and specific nature of stroke symptoms.

If you experience or witness sudden weakness, confusion or trouble speaking, immediate medical attention is crucial. The faster a stroke is diagnosed and treated, the better the chances of recovery and minimizing long-term effects.

To find out your risk for stroke, take this short quiz. 

Can stress cause a stroke? Strategies for living well

Can stress cause a stroke? In some cases, yes. Stress can increase your risk of stroke and hypertension. But with the right strategies, you can manage your stress and reduce your risk.

By prioritizing your mental health and actively managing stress, you can take proactive steps toward lowering your stroke risk and improving your overall well-being.

If you’re concerned that stress might be taking a toll on your overall health, talk to your primary care physician. Find a doctor near you for help today.