Stroke:nxiety is associated with stroke risk
Key research points:
· The increase of anxiety is probably related to the increase of stroke risk;
· Behavioral factors may be a key way for anxiety to lead to stroke.
Increased anxiety is associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease. However, few studies have investigated whether anxiety is associated with stroke risk. This is a nationally representative longitudinal study of the American population. The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between anxiety symptoms and stroke events.
In this study, 6019 members who participated in the first national health and nutrition examination were assessed at baseline and followed up for 16.29 ± 4.75 years. Multivariate Cox proportional risk regression model was used to evaluate the stroke risk rate and 95% confidence interval of the members whose anxiety symptoms increased by 1SD. Regulate the model to standardize cardiovascular risk factors and depression degree.
According to the hospital/nursing home discharge report and death certificate, a total of 419 patients were diagnosed with stroke. After standardizing biological and behavioral cardiovascular risk factors, the report showed that anxiety symptoms at the baseline level were associated with an increased risk of stroke (relative risk, 1.14; 95% confidence interval, 1.03 to 1.25). The same conclusion can be reached after the degree of depression is standardized. Exploratory analysis considered that potential confounding and the role of pathway variables indicated that behavioral factors might be a key pathway for anxiety to lead to stroke.
Studies have shown that the increase in anxiety is likely to be associated with an increased risk of stroke and is independent of other risk factors, including depression. Anxiety is very common among the general population and can be regulated. Its evaluation and treatment may help to develop more effective prevention and intervention strategies to improve overall cardiovascular health.
Research background：
Anxiety is the most common emotional state. When the severity of anxiety is obviously inconsistent with the objective event or situation, or the duration is too long, it becomes pathological anxiety, called anxiety symptoms. If it meets the relevant diagnostic criteria, it will be diagnosed as anxiety disorder (also called anxiety disorder). Increased anxiety is associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease. The purpose of this study was to determine whether anxiety was associated with stroke risk.
