The negative health effects of anxiety, such as increased coronary heart disease risks, have long been documented and accepted in the medical community. But now, research suggests that individuals with high levels of anxiety have an increased risk for stroke.

The researchers, who are from the University of Pittsburgh, published the results of their study in the journal Stroke.

They say that anxiety disorders – characterized by fear, unease and worry – impact nearly 20% of US adults each year and often last for at least 6 months.

A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain stops, and the American Stroke Association says this cuts off oxygen and nutrients that are vital for the brain. When this happens, brain cells die, and depending in which side of the brain the stroke occurs, effects can include paralysis, vision or speech problems, memory loss and behavioral changes.

Stroke is the number four killer in the US and is a leading cause of disability, the researchers note.

“Anxiety is a very common condition in the general population,” says Maya Lambiase, a post-doctoral scholar at the University of Pittsburgh and lead author of the study. But she notes that anxiety is a “modifiable behavior,” adding:

“Assessment and treatment of anxiety has the potential to not only improve overall quality of life, but also reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases, such as stroke, later in life.”

The investigators say their study is the first to suggest a link between high anxiety and an increased stroke risk, despite other known risk factors, such as depression.