How Sleep Can Impact Your Risk Of Stroke

A healthy diet, exercise and controlling your blood pressure can all reduce the risk of having a stroke – however your sleep quality also plays an important role.

In a recent study of 529 adults, it was found that obstructive sleep apnea (a common sleep disorder) was significantly linked to the development of white matter hyperintensities (WMHs) – lesions found in the brain that are associated with an increased likelihood of certain cardiovascular and cerebral conditions. According to a 2017 study published in Neurology, having white matter hyperintensities triples a person’s risk of having a stroke.

It is important to treat your obstructive sleep apnea symptoms to help reverse some of the cognitive effects. Lifestyle changes can include limiting alcohol, exercising regularly, losing weight and using a CPAP machine. If you are interested in a sleep study, contact us on 1300 76 29 39