Mixed
Untreated sleep-disordered breathing (SDB), particularly obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), is an independent risk factor for incident stroke and recurrent vascular events, with risk increasing with apnea-hypopnea index (AHI).
If you snore loudly or feel excessively sleepy during the day, get tested for sleep apnea. Treating it with CPAP or other therapies can significantly lower your risk of having a stroke or having another one if you've already had one. It is not just 'bad breathing'; it is a direct threat to your cardiovascular health.
A meta-analysis of prospective and population-based studies concluded that SDB is an independent stroke predictor (OR 2.24; CI 1.57–3.19). Stroke risk increased with AHI.
Why this rating
Supported by multiple large population-based cohorts and meta-analyses, though some individual studies had limited power or adjustment.
Source
Role of sleep-disordered breathing and sleep-wake disturbances for stroke and stroke recovery
Dirk M. Hermann et al. · Neurology · 2016
DOI 10.1212/wnl.0000000000003037
More from this paper
- Both short sleep duration (<=5-6 hours) and long sleep duration (>=8-9 hours) are independent predictors of incident stroke.Good
- Treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) with Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) improves neurologic recovery, reduces sleepiness, and may reduce recurrent vascular events in stroke patients.Moderate
- Insomnia and sleep deprivation impair neuroplasticity and functional stroke recovery, while promoting NREM and REM sleep has a favorable effect on recovery.Moderate
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