Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Aug 11: A new study has revealed a significant and alarming connection between stalking and cardiovascular health. According to research published in the journal Circulation, women who have been stalked are over 40% more likely to develop heart disease or have a stroke.

The study, which analyzed data from over 66,000 women, highlights that stalking, a form of violence that often goes unaddressed in health research, can have serious long-term consequences. Researchers from Harvard University and the University of British Columbia believe that the psychological distress caused by stalking may disrupt the nervous system, impair blood vessel function, and negatively affect other biological systems.

The findings are even more pronounced for women who took legal action. The study found that those who obtained a restraining order, which the researchers considered a sign of severe violence, faced a 70% increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease.

This heightened risk remained even after accounting for other factors like health, lifestyle, and a history of childhood abuse or depression. One of the researchers, Rebecca B. Lawn, emphasized that while stalking may not involve physical contact, its chronic nature can cause significant stress and health changes.

The authors of the study are calling for more research and better training for healthcare professionals to help them understand and address the link between violence and women's health. They also stress the need to raise awareness and provide resources for women who have experienced violence.