High Levels of Anxiety Boosts Risk of Stroke

According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIHM), each year about 40 million American adults over 18 have some form of an anxiety disorder. Anxiety is a broad term characterized by fear and excessive worry. The NIHM website notes that some forms of anxiety are a “normal reaction” to stress, and may resolve on their own over time. More serious types of anxiety disorders can last much longer and interfere with day-to-day living, and can compromise your health. A recent study published online in the journal Stroke warns that people who experience high levels of anxiety have an increased risk for stroke, the fourth highest cause of death in the U.S. and a major cause of disability. The researchers, from the University of Pittsburgh, note that people who are suffering from anxiety often turn to unhealthy behaviors, like smoking, and are less likely to engage in healthy behaviors like exercise. Anxiety disorders are often treated with medication. If you think that you’re experiencing symptoms of anxiety, talk to your doctor. If you feel that you’re just very stressed out, or frequently in a bad mood, tracking your mood may make you more aware of your emotional state and help you to deal with stress before it gets the better of you.