Stress has long been tied to urban life. Traffic, noise and crime are just some anxiety triggers that are par for the course in an urban setting. However, new research shows that city residents may process external stressors differently than those from suburban or rural communities.

Published in Nature, the research found that people who grew up in or near an urban space had cognitively different reactions to stress that were great enough to measure with magnetic imaging brain scans. While many are already aware of the burden constant stress can pose to an individual, some may not know how anxiety can affect one’s health.

The Mayo Clinic points out higher levels of adrenaline associated with anxiety can speed up one’s heart rate and bump up blood pressure. The laundry list of subsequent health problems associated with unchecked stress levels includes depression, heart disease and obesity, the source reports.

In light of this, it is important for individuals to take preventative measures when it comes to anxiety so as to minimize its negative effects and the possible health insurance costs that may result. Urbanites who have greater access to stress reducers like yoga and therapy may want to take advantage.