New survey finds 70 percent of Americans stressed by midterms

A survey conducted by LifeStance Health in October found that 70 percent of Americans report stress or anxiety related to the upcoming midterm elections. This figure exceeds the 69 percent of U.S. adults who cited the presidential election as a major source of stress in 2024, according to data from the American Psychological Association.

Medical professionals warn that this psychological strain can have physical consequences for the body. A study published in JAMA Network Open in April 2022 analyzed hospital data from the 2020 presidential election. Researchers found higher rates of acute cardiovascular disease in the five days following the vote compared to the same period two weeks prior.

Similar trends appeared after the 2016 election. A 2020 study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences noted spikes in acute cardiovascular disease hospitalizations during that election cycle. A separate 2021 study in the Journal of the American Heart Association linked the 2016 election to increased cases of cardiac arrhythmias, a condition characterized by an irregular heart rate.

Dr. Megan Kamath, an advanced heart failure and transplant cardiologist at UCLA, advises patients to establish a plan for media consumption before Election Day. She recommends deciding in advance how much news to consume and prioritizing regular meals, movement, and sleep. Kamath noted that identifying meaningful civic actions can help voters maintain a sense of agency during the process.

Lindsey Rosman, an assistant professor of medicine at Northwestern University, emphasizes the importance of expecting delays in results. She stated that close races often take days to count and that knowing this in advance makes the uncertainty easier to manage. Rosman suggested putting screens away an hour before bed to prevent the stress response from remaining active overnight.

Ashley Huggins, a psychology professor at the University of Arizona, recommends engaging in physical activities and social interactions to manage stress. She cited guided breathing and progressive muscle relaxation as effective tools for relieving physical symptoms of anxiety. Huggins explained that activating the parasympathetic nervous system signals to the body that it is in a state of relaxation.

Chris Chanyasulkit, a public health expert, offered a direct comparison between physical activity and digital consumption. He said that a walk beats a third hour of scrolling. He also advised voters to be wary of misinformation that triggers strong emotional reactions, particularly claims about rigged elections or voting problems.

The American Psychological Association released its 2024 Stress in America report on October 22, 2024. The report detailed the impact of political anxiety on national health. LifeStance Health published its survey data on October 29, 2026. The next scheduled major event in the U.S. political calendar is the general election for the midterms.

Experts note that the association between elections and heart problems is based on statistical data rather than direct proof of causation. The 2022 study on the 2020 election accounted for the fact that the race was not called until four days after Election Day. This delay in results is a factor in the prolonged stress response observed in voters.

Voters are encouraged to check their usual sleep times and avoid substances like alcohol, nicotine, and extra caffeine on Election Day. The goal is to keep the nervous system calm while waiting for official results. The next set of national election data will be available following the conclusion of the 2026 midterm cycle.