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The greater the
anxiety level, the higher the risk of having a stroke, according to new
research published in the American Heart Association journal Stroke. And
heart disease patients who suffer anxiety have twice the risk of dying. What’s
worse, heart patients with both anxiety and depression have triple the
risk of dying, researchers said, in the Journal of the American Heart
Association published earlier this year.
The stroke study is
reported to be the first in which researchers linked anxiety and stroke
independent of other factors such as depression. Anxiety disorders are one of
the most prevalent mental health problems. Symptoms include feeling unusually
worried, stressed, nervous or tense.
The study found that people in the
highest third of anxiety symptoms had a 33 percent higher stroke risk than
those with the lowest levels.
“Everyone has some anxiety now and
then. But when it’s elevated and/or chronic, it may have an effect on your health
years down the road,” said Maya Lambiase, Ph.D., study author and
cardiovascular behavioral medicine researcher in the Department of Psychiatry
at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, in Pittsburgh, Penn.
Ask your
mother’s doctor to put together a plan for her that could encompass her health
and well-being. She might also benefit from a little extra companionship,
particularly during the times when you are unable to be with her. Why not
suggest she check out a senior center? Most communities have these centers that
provide both mealtime activities and companionship. Or consider a
non-medical caregiving companion, such as one from Home Instead Senior Care®.
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