Psychosocial Distress Associated With Increased Stroke Risk.

HealthDay (12/14, Gray) reports that a study published online Dec. 13 in the journal Stroke “found that people over 65 with the highest levels of psychosocial distress — including depression, a negative outlook and dissatisfaction with life — had triple the risk of death from stroke as compared with those who had lower levels of stress.”

WebMD (12/14, Goodman) reports that for the study, Susan A. Everson-Rose, PhD, MPH, of the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis and colleagues “surveyed more than 4,000 adults over age 65 in the three neighborhoods in Chicago. The majority of people who took part were women and African-American. Their average age was 77.”

Many Cardiac Arrest Survivors May Also Suffer From Psychological Distress. Reuters (12/14, Stokes) reports that according to a review published online Dec. 3 in the journal Resuscitation, approximately 25% of patients who survive an episode of cardiac arrest may end up with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, or anxiety over the long term. Researchers arrived at that conclusion after analyzing data from 11 studies. The review’s authors pointed out the importance of identifying such issues to help treat these mental-health disorders. Reuters also notes that only one out of 10 people who experience cardiac arrest survive. For that reason, the long-term psychological needs of survivors may have been overlooked.

Related Links:

— “Stress, Depression Linked to Raised Stroke Risk in Seniors, “Barbara Bronson Gray, HealthDay, December 13, 2012.

Posted in In The News.