Stress Can Help Trigger Stroke

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The increased risk due to stress "is nothing compared to the relative risk of high blood pressure or smoking or all the other known risk factors," Goldberg said.

"I don't think this should change our understanding of how we should deal with the risk of stroke," he said. Stress is associated with a number of conditions, Goldberg noted. "It increases the risk of infection, cancer and mental health problems," he said.

"Ours was not a treatment study, so we are not free to comment on how the risk might be reduced," Surtees said. "If I were speculating, I would say that if people learn to deal with stresses in life more effectively, it might contribute to reducing their risk."

More information

Find out more about stroke risk factors at the American Heart Association.