A study published in the journal “Stroke” is the first to identify an association between anxiety and increased risk of developing a stroke.

Dr. Maya Lambiase and her co-workers at the University of Pittsburgh studied more than 6,000 participants, ages 25 to 74, in the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

The volunteers were followed over the course of two decades, and showed a 33 percent greater stroke risk for those who experienced anxiety compared to those who did not.

The investigators noted that extensive or chronic anxiety may have physiological ramifications that compromise blood flow in the brain.

However, the study did not prove a cause-and-effect relationship between anxiety and stroke risk.

Anxious people are also more likely to smoke and have a higher blood pressure and heart rate, which increase the risk for a stroke.

Anxiety is one of the most common mind-health problems that doctors encounter. When severe, it requires treatment.

But it is not yet certain whether such treatment actually lowers stroke risk.