Psychosocial Distress, an Underinvestigated Risk Factor for Stroke

See related article, p 367. Sometimes we have to look at the obvious. Modifiable risk factors for stroke have been identified and their control has been proven to be effective. Although frequent risk factors, such as hypertension, heart disease, and diabetes mellitus, contribute strongly to stroke incidence, they do not explain all incident cases. Therefore, the search of new risk factors is ongoing. To many physicians and patients, it is obvious that stressful life events play a role, especially, when they become a chronic and heavy burden in private life, for instance a severe disease occurring in a close relative or the sudden loss of a next-of-kin, and also changes in professional life can play a role, such as career disappointments or loss of job. It is quite obvious that such events are potentially harmful and change the outlook of everyone affected by them. Although some persons may adapt themselves more easily to such changes, others develop adjustment disorders and this burden develops a distressing quality, which increases the risk of suffering a stroke.Such factors causing psychosocial distress have been correlated with major depression, type A behavior, stressful life events, unemployment, caregiver …