Too much stress can increase the risk that caregivers of loved ones with Alzheimer's disease will develop excessive blood clots, according to a study reported in the January-February issue of Psychosomatic Medicine.

In their study of 54 men and women who provided home care for a spouse with Alzheimer's disease, the researchers gathered information from each participant on stressful life circumstances during the previous four weeks that were unrelated to the caregiving role.

The researchers also evaluated each participant for depression, gathered information on the caretakers' health and use of medications and obtained a blood sample to measure levels of three indicators of excessive blood clotting.

The researchers found that caretakers who reported a higher number of recent negative life events were likely to have higher blood levels of a substance called fibrin D-dimer.

According to the researchers, increases in this substance, even within the normal range, have been seen to predict coronary events such as heart attacks in apparently healthy individuals as well as those already diagnosed with coronary artery disease.

Other sources: Health Behavior News Service