Is psychological stress a risk factor for cerebrovascular disease?

Psychological stress has been implicated as a risk factor for a number of medical conditions. The association has been particularly well-studied for coronary heart disease. In contrast, there are only a few studies regarding the role of psychological stress as a risk factor for stroke. Additional research is clearly necessary to better delineate the degree of risk and the physiological mechanisms through which psychological stress may play a role in the development of cerebrovascular disease.