Can Stress Cause a Stroke? What Seniors Need to Know

According to the CDC, someone has a stroke every 40 seconds in the United States. When strokes strike seniors, over half of survivors aged 65 and older experience mobility issues. For this reason, it's important for seniors to be familiar with stroke prevention strategies to remain as healthy as possible.

While hypertension, cholesterol, and diabetes are recognized co-factors in strokes, one of the key questions seniors must address is, can stress cause a stroke?

In this post, we will explore how stress affects the body. We will discover how learning to manage stress effectively can help seniors manage aging and cardiovascular health successfully.

How Can Stress Cause a Stroke?

Stress is an integral part of life. Sometimes, it is useful, causing our fight-or-flight mechanism to kick in. It causes hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline to be released, which help prepare our bodies for action.

However, too much stress, or prolonged stress, can have a negative impact on our bodies and cause serious health issues.

Increased Blood Pressure

Too much stress is a leading cause of hypertension in seniors. Also known as high blood pressure, this is a major risk factor for stroke. Hypertension can weaken the walls of blood vessels, making them more likely to rupture or get blocked.

Inflammation and Arterial Damage

According to Yale Medicine, prolonged stress can cause inflammation in the body. Strokes happen when the blood flow is disrupted to part of the brain. Inflammation can lead to blockages and aneurysms in arteries, which can cause strokes.

Atrial Fibrillation

Over time, stress can bring on atrial fibrillation or an irregular heartbeat. This can cause the blood to pool in the heart, making it more likely to clot. These clots can then be pumped around the body and cause a stroke.

Unhealthy Lifestyle

When our lives are stressful, we are more likely to make poor lifestyle choices. This includes:

• Irregular exercise
• Overeating
• Smoking
• Drinking to excess

All of these factors can significantly increase our risk of having a stroke.

It is clear that managing stress is critical to improving senior heart health and reducing your stroke risk. But first, you must identify signs of living with excessive stress.

Signs of Stress in Seniors

When you have lived with stress for a long time, it may have become a seemingly normal part of life. You may conclude that conditions linked to chronic stress are just a part of the aging process.

It is important to talk to your healthcare provider if you are experiencing any of the following to find out the root cause. Some conditions that may be related to stress include:

• Sleeping difficulties
• Feeling of anxiety or worry
• Changes in mood, such as irritability or mood swings
• Memory issues
• Concentration difficulties
• Unexplained fatigue
• Physical pain, including chest pain, muscle aches, and headaches

Do not quickly conclude that these issues are just part of life. Untreated chronic stress could put you at greater risk of stroke and other health complications. Get yourself checked out by a doctor and follow their advice.

Managing Stress in Seniors

The good news is that managing stress effectively can help older adults feel better and reduce their overall stroke risk. There are several effective methods to choose from to reduce stress.

Relaxation Techniques

Many people turn on the TV or pour themselves a drink to relax. However, this can lead to complications in the long run.

Deep breathing is a great way to reduce your stress and lower your blood pressure. WebMD recommends the following:

• Get into a comfortable position
• Breathe in through your nose
• Breathe out through your nose
• Place one hand on your stomach and one on your chest
• Feel them rise and fall

Progressive muscle relaxation is another tried and tested stress reduction technique. Simply go through your body, tensing and relaxing your muscle groups one by one. This can reduce tension, help you feel better, and make it easier to get to sleep.

Get Some Exercise

Regular exercise is not only great for overall healthy aging and cardiovascular health, but it can also reduce stress. Activities such as walking and Pilates can produce the following results:

• Reduce blood pressure
• Lower inflammation
• Boost mood by releasing endorphins
• Improve senior heart health

Seniors should try to get around 150 minutes of moderate exercise each week. That may sound like a lot, and you may worry about how to do this if you have mobility issues. This is where exercise classes at assisted living communities come into their own.

Assisted living communities in Nevada provide classes that suit seniors of all levels of fitness and mobility. From walks through the grounds to armchair exercises, there is something for everybody to get involved with.

Enjoy an Active Social Life

Loneliness is a major cause of stress in older Americans. Staying connected with others doesn't just make life more enjoyable. It actually reduces our stress and increases our enjoyment in life!

Some options include:

• Attending social gatherings
• Joining a club
• Staying in touch with friends and family

In an assisted living community, there is no need to ever feel lonely. There is a packed social calendar that you can enjoy as much of as you like. Engage in activities that interest you alongside like-minded people.

Adopt a Health Diet

A nutritious diet is crucial to stroke prevention and heart health. Seniors should include the following in their diets:

• Fruits and vegetables
• Lean proteins
• Healthy fats
• Whole grains

Limiting processed food can also help you remain in peak condition and reduce your stroke risk.

Embrace a Happy and Healthy Life at Kiley Ranch Senior Living

So, can stress cause a stroke? While it is just one of several factors, it can certainly increase your stroke risk. So follow the steps mentioned above to reduce your risk and enjoy a healthier life.

At Kiley Ranch Senior Living in Sparks, NV, we have everything you need to enjoy retirement in comfort and great health. Our Vibrant Life senior living program focuses on keeping seniors healthy in mind, body, and spirit.

Why not visit to learn more? Click here to discover our services and arrange a tour today!