Do you snore or have trouble sleeping? So, pay attention to this article. A study published in the journal Neurology of the American Academy of Neurology found that some sleep disturbances may be directly associated with an increased risk of stroke (stroke).
The research took into account a wide variety of sleep disorders, such as sleeping too much or having insomnia, poor sleep quality, snoring, wheezing while sleeping and sleep apnoea. The study also identified a strong connection between sleep disorders and hypertension, which is one of the main risk factors for stroke.
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How was the study on sleep disorders done?
In all, data from 4,496 people with a mean age of 62 years were analyzed, of whom 2,243 had a stroke and were compared with another 2,253 who had not suffered a stroke. All participants were asked about sleep quality, number of hours slept, naps daytime sleep disorders, snoring and other breathing problems during sleep.
Study results showed that those who slept less than five hours a night or more than nine hours had a higher incidence of stroke.
People who sleep little had a three times greater risk of having a stroke than those who slept seven hours a night, considered normal by researchers. Furthermore, those who slept nine hours had twice the risk compared to those who slept seven hours.
In addition, those who had the habit of taking long naps during the day were 88% more likely to suffer a stroke.
And who snores?
Snoring is a relatively common condition in the population. However, this is not something that should not be taken into account. In fact, the researchers in this study found that participants who snored had a 91% higher risk of having a stroke.
It does not stop there. Those who had obstructive sleep apnea had a three times greater risk.
But are sleep disturbances the only factors?
It is known that there are other factors that influence a person's health. For example, lack of physical activity, poor diet, smoking and alcohol consumption.
The study took this into account and adjusted for these risk factors in participants. However, the results were similar, reinforcing the idea that sleep disorders may have a strong link with stroke.
Prevention
According to researcher Christina McCarthy, from the University of Galway, Ireland, "interventions to improve sleep can also reduce the risk of stroke and should be the subject of future research".
Graduated in Social Communication at the Federal University of Goiás. Passionate about digital media, pop culture, technology, politics and psychoanalysis.