A groundbreaking study reveals that stalking—a form of harassment often underestimated—significantly elevates women’s risk of serious cardiovascular events like heart attacks and strokes later in life. Women who have experienced stalking face a 40% greater likelihood of developing heart disease compared to those who have not.
Alarmingly, this risk spikes to 70% among women who have taken out restraining orders against their stalkers.
Dr. Audrey R. Murchland, PhD, epidemiology associate at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and coauthor of the study, emphasizes that stalking, though commonly seen as non-physical violence, carries profound long-term health consequences.
“Our findings underscore the severe and lasting impact of stalking on women’s cardiovascular health and highlight the urgent need to treat it as a serious health risk,” she states.
Stalking Prevalence and Its Forms
Approximately one in three women report having been stalked during their lifetime. Stalking involves repeated harassing or threatening behaviors such as being followed, watched, unexpectedly visited at home or work, spied on, or bombarded with unwanted messages and gifts. Notably, nearly a quarter of women experience stalking as minors.
Restraining orders, legal instruments designed to protect victims by restricting contact with perpetrators, are associated with even higher cardiovascular risk, possibly reflecting the severity of the trauma endured.
Linking Trauma to Cardiovascular Disease
Heart disease remains the leading cause of death among women in the U.S., accounting for one in five female fatalities. Traditional risk factors include hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, and smoking. However, emerging evidence points to chronic stress and traumatic experiences like stalking as significant contributors to cardiovascular risk.
“Our research contributes to growing evidence that violence against women is an under-recognized risk factor for heart disease,” Dr. Murchland explains. “Medical providers must broaden their understanding to incorporate these social determinants of health.”
Key Findings from the Nurses’ Health Study 2
The research team analyzed data from over 66,000 women aged 36 to 56, free of heart disease at baseline in 2001, tracked over 20 years. Participants reported experiences with stalking and restraining orders, while medical records documented subsequent heart attacks and strokes.
- Nearly 12% of women reported being stalked.
- About 6% had secured a restraining order.
- Women who had been stalked exhibited a 41% higher risk of heart disease.
- Those with restraining orders faced a 70% increased risk.
These elevated risks persisted even after adjusting for lifestyle factors, preexisting conditions, childhood abuse, and mental health.
Cardiologist Dr. Allison Zielinski of Northwestern’s Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute notes, “This study highlights stalking as a source of chronic trauma that contributes to cardiovascular disease independent of traditional risk factors.”
How Stalking Harms the Heart
Chronic stress from stalking triggers persistent activation of the body’s stress systems, leading to “wear and tear” on cardiovascular and metabolic functions, explains Dr. Kim Smolderen, vascular medicine expert at Yale School of Medicine. This stress disrupts sleep, appetite, physical activity, and promotes inflammation, hypertension, and insulin resistance—key drivers of heart disease.
Recommendations for Survivors and Providers
If you are currently experiencing stalking, immediate safety and support are paramount—contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline for assistance. Survivors should inform their healthcare providers about their experiences, as this information can be crucial for comprehensive health assessment and care.
Healthcare professionals are encouraged to recognize stalking and related trauma as critical factors influencing cardiovascular risk and to facilitate access to psychological and social support services.
Healing and Moving Forward
Dr. Smolderen stresses the importance of self-compassion and healing, reminding survivors that stalking does not define their identity. Evidence-based therapies can help process trauma and reduce distress. Building strong social support networks and prioritizing self-care are vital steps toward recovery and improved health outcomes.
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