GAD and Stroke

[bighenry]

Hi all. :)

I've been looking into the risks of GAD and stroke (my paranoia of choice since my Dad died of stroke at a young age) but haven't found a lot of information. I have, however, found various studies linking chronic stress to risk of stroke, e.g.

http://eurheartj.oupjournals.org/cgi/content/full/25/10/867?maxtoshow=&HITS=10&hits=10&RESULTFORMAT=1&andorexacttitle=and&andorexacttitleabs=and&fulltext=stress

My question, therefore, is is it fair to interpret chronic stress as anxiety? They both share the stress response (fight/flight), but does anyone know of any biological difference between the two? If not, I'm guessing the risk for stroke for someone with anxiety is similar to someone with chronic stress.

Thanks in advance :D

Henry

[nomorepanic]

Hiya and welcome.

I think stress is different to anxiety. My partner gets stressed and he is tense and irritable but he has no effects atall of anxiety and never gets the panicky feelings.

When I get stressed I get a bit light-headed but then I am a sufferer so I think that it is an automatic response for me

So I don't think you are at more risk with GAD then anyone else of having a stroke.

Healthy eating and living should mean that you don't suffer with heart problems and if you do feel stressed then take some time out to relax too!!

Not sure this has helped but it is my thoughts

Hope to hear more from you soon.

Nicola

[bighenry]

Thanks for the reply Nicola :)

I'm healthy in every other way, so you're right -- realistically I shouldn't worry. It's just always difficult for me to silence that niggling doubt: during a panic / anxiety attack, I have to know *for sure* that it can't hurt me. Consequently, I end up spending hours obsessing about it :(

Anyway, thanks again. It's good to know someone's listening :)

Henry