A Lifetime of Stress Could Be a Precursor to Stroke

Whether stress is a cause of stroke is an ongoing debate. However, today, stress is only considered a contributing factor to one of the main causes of stroke - high blood pressure. The other proclaimed causes of stroke are a family history of stroke, diabetes, and high cholesterol.  I believe that long term or excessive stress can be another cause of stroke.   

We know that the cardiovascular system (heart, arteries, and blood vessels) supplies rich nutrition in the form of blood that nourishes the brain. Also, we know that the two types of stroke, ischemic and hemorrhagic, are caused by a bleed or stoppage of blood flow to parts of the brain. Therefore, the cardiovascular system and brain work together.

Let's talk about what stress does to the cardiovascular system. Imagine that you are a pedestrian attempting to cross a busy freeway during rush hour. (This is a totally ridiculous situation but one that illustrates a point.) Your heart would be pumping faster and your pulse would be rapid. Your body, particularly your sense of sight, would be on high alert to the danger around you. Your adrenal glands would secrete cortisol and adrenalin into your bloodstream to help you get through the crisis. You would be sweating and anxious.  Just like marathon runners receive "adrenalin high" after running, you would get a rush of this important flight or fight liquid gold stored in our glands for such an occasion. The lymphatic system serves us well during a crisis.

But what if the lymphatic system was continuously turned on and we had to keep fighting to cross to the other side of the freeway? Our blood pressure would certainly be higher than normal for an extended period of time. Our pulse would be rapid because the heart would be pounding blood quickly through our arteries. The continuous pounding of blood against artery walls eventually causes a thinning or thickening of some artery walls which can lead to a break, bleed, or swelling of these affected arteries which directly relates to having a heart attack or stroke.

The lymphatic system (glands that secrete cortisol and adrenalin) can be our enemy or our friend. In an emergency situation, or during exercise, these glands secrete necessary fluids to help us.  In the case of phobias such as "stage fright" the lymphatic system turns on again and we are less able to handle the situation. In the case of trying to cross a busy freeway we would be barraged with both emotions, flight - "I don't want to be in this situation!" and fight - "I've crossed one lane and I'm committed to get through alive!"

As we age, our blood vessels are not as elastic or pliable as they once were. Continuous stress can lead to damage within the arterial walls. When we are young, constant stress such as that demanded by "multi-tasking" a spin word for doing several things at the same time, can lead to high blood pressure which can lead to heart attack and stroke. We are placing our bodies on constant alert by stressing not only ourselves but our vascular system to do more.