Researchers from the National University of Ireland Galway examined how stress affects brain health and found a clear link between stressful life events and the likelihood of stroke. The results were published in JAMA Network Open and reflect data drawn from a broad, international population. (Cited: JAMA Network Open; National University of Ireland Galway)
The analysis brought together information from more than 26,000 adults spanning continents, including Europe, Asia, the Americas, the Middle East, and Africa. This wide geographic coverage helps researchers understand how stress interacts with other risk factors across different cultural and socioeconomic contexts. (Cited: JAMA Network Open; National University of Ireland Galway)
Across the study sample, severe stress linked to home life, work pressures, or personal relationships was associated with a higher risk of both major types of stroke. Ischemic stroke occurs when a blood vessel becomes blocked by a clot, restricting blood flow to the brain. Hemorrhagic stroke arises when a blood vessel ruptures, causing bleeding in brain tissue. The researchers quantified the impact: a single stressful event raised overall stroke risk by about 17 percent, while two or more events elevated the risk by roughly 31 percent. (Cited: JAMA Network Open; National University of Ireland Galway)
Work-related stress emerged as a particularly potent factor. Increases in stress at work were associated with more than double the risk of ischemic stroke and more than five times the risk of hemorrhagic stroke, underscoring how professional life can influence vascular health. These findings held after accounting for other known risk factors, suggesting that stress is an important, independent contributor to stroke risk. (Cited: JAMA Network Open; National University of Ireland Galway)
An encouraging takeaway centers on the concept of a personal locus of control. When individuals felt empowered to influence what happened at work and did not frame stress as something entirely out of their control, their stroke risk appeared lower. The team notes that psychological and behavioral strategies—such as stress management, problem-solving skills, and supportive work environments—may help reduce risk at the population level. Education about controlling one’s response to stress could become a valuable component of public health campaigns aimed at stroke prevention. (Cited: JAMA Network Open; National University of Ireland Galway)