- The patients were split into stressed (permanent stress for 1 year or greater) and non-stressed (never stressed or infrequent periods of stress) groups. When this was compared with stroke incidence and the type, there was a strong correlation between prolonged stress and large vessel disease, small vessel disease and cryptogenic stroke.
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2009-10/bc-ssc092909.php
Stress may be related to behaviours associated with an increased susceptibility for stroke, such as smoking, physical inactivity, and socioeconomic status. Moreover, frequent or persistent activation of the sympathetic nervous system, the hypothalamus as well as pituitary and adrenal glands may also lead to hypertension and/or metabolic disturbances that could lead to strokes. Strokes are currently one of the biggest killers in the world, causing 9.7% of deaths according to the World Health Organisation, so knowledge of their causation is vital.