Women experiencing physical violence may have a higher risk of developing heart and blood-vessel diseases finds a new study. Researchers found that women who experience physical violence are one-and-half times more likely to have narrowing of the blood vessels in the neck that carry blood to the brain -- an early sign of increased risk for stroke -- compared to women who have not experienced violence. Both society and the healthcare sector need to be aware about the importance of exposure to violence as it affects not only the social well-being but also a woman's long-term health said lead study