Sleep is an integral aspect of human life, and getting enough rest is essential for our overall health and well-being. Unfortunately, disordered sleep, which is characterized by frequent interruptions, snoring, and difficulty falling asleep, has been linked to various health problems. One such issue is a marked increase in the risk of stroke. Recent studies have shown that individuals who suffer from disordered sleep are more likely to experience a stroke than those who sleep normally. In this article, we’ll explore the link between disordered sleep and stroke, its prevalence, and what steps can be taken to mitigate the risk.
Disordered sleep is a significant risk factor for stroke, according to a new study published in the journal Neurology. The research found that people who slept too little were more than three times more likely to suffer a stroke, while those who slept too much were more than twice as likely to have a stroke. People with symptoms of severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) were also two to three times more likely to have a stroke. The study found that the more symptoms of disordered sleep a person had, the higher their risk of stroke. Participants with five or more symptoms of disordered sleep had a significantly increased risk of stroke, five times that of those without any symptoms.
Although the study did not determine a causal relationship between sleep disorders and stroke, the link between the two was strong. Lead investigator Christine McCarthy, MD, PhD, a geriatric and stroke medicine physician and researcher with the University of Galway, Galway, Ireland, said sleep disturbance may represent a marker of somebody at increased risk of stroke. She believes interventional studies are required to see if sleep management can reduce this risk.
Prior research has shown that severe OSA doubles the risk of stroke and increases the chance of recurrent stroke. A 2019 study showed that people with insomnia had a slightly increased risk of stroke. Snoring and extremes of sleep duration have also previously been associated with an increased risk of stroke in observational research, but less is known about other symptoms of sleep impairment. McCarthy noted that prior studies have generally come from a single geographic region, which could limit their generalizability.
The researchers used data from 4496 participants in INTERSTROKE, an international case-control study of risk factors for a first acute stroke. About half of the participants had a history of stroke. Using information collected from a survey of sleep habits, the research found that stroke risk was elevated in participants who received less than five hours of sleep per night or more than nine hours of sleep per night compared to those who slept seven hours a night. Participants who took unplanned naps or naps lasting an hour or more, and those who reported poor quality sleep, were also at an increased risk of stroke.
Symptoms of OSA were strongly associated with increased stroke risk, including snoring, snorting, and breathing cessation. The risk of stroke increased as the number of sleep disturbance symptoms rose, with the greatest risk in participants who had five or more symptoms. Researchers are uncertain about what drives the higher stroke risk among people with sleep disturbances. Although the study controlled for potential confounders, it was not designed to determine the true direction of the relationship. Sleep disturbance may also have a bi-directional relationship with many stroke risk factors. Future interventional studies are required to determine the true direction of the relationship.
Daniel Lackland, DrPH, professor of neurology at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, said the findings provide additional evidence of the link between sleep and stroke risk. Lackland suggested that collecting information about sleep using a validated assessment tool is an important piece of clinical care, particularly among patients with other stroke risk factors. One limitation of the study was that data on sleep was collected only at one point, and participants were not followed over time to see if changes in sleep affected stroke risk. This is an area that future studies should focus on, as it is critical in the design of interventions.
In conclusion, it is vital to recognize the important link between disordered sleep and an increased risk of stroke. Addressing sleep disorders may be an effective preventive measure that individuals can take to reduce their stroke risk. Simple lifestyle changes such as managing stress, avoiding smoking, and maintaining a healthy diet and exercise regime can go a long way towards promoting healthy sleep and reducing stroke risk. Moreover, seeking expert treatment for underlying sleep disorders such as sleep apnea can significantly improve overall health outcomes. With greater awareness and proactive action, we can all take steps towards protecting ourselves against the risks of stroke and improving our quality of life.
