Sleep Disorders Sleep Apnea

Bad Sleep Raises Risk of Stroke

Sleep apnea, responsible for the shortness of breath and loud snoring that has ruined countless peaceful nights, may also increase the risk for stroke, according to a study in the New England Journal of Medicine. These results are the latest to suggest that this common sleep problem has more troubling consequences than simply feeling tired the next day.

Fortunately, said Dr. Klar Yaggi of Yale University, "Sleep apnea is a highly treatable condition."

The study evaluated 842 middle-aged men and women who sought help for their sleep problems from the Yale Center for Sleep Medicine, where Yaggi is an instructor. About two-thirds of the participants were diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea.

Three years later, there were 22 strokes and 50 deaths in this group. In contrast, there were 2 strokes and 14 deaths in the group that had more benign sleep troubles. When hypertension and other common stroke risk factors were ruled out, sleep apnea appeared to double the chances of someone suffering an attack.

Sleep apnea clogs the airway and can cause someone to struggle to breathe during their sleep, which is responsible for the "industrial strength snoring," Yaggi said. This disruption, he added, can lead to surges in blood pressure and a lack of oxygen that may gradually increase the risk of stroke.

Often times, the patient is not aware this is happening. They wake up from the slight pause in breathing and then fall back asleep. The only clue is feeling exceptionally tired the next day.

"If you have a bed partner, make sure they tell you if you have trouble sleeping at night," Yaggi said. Indeed, the risks of stroke may lessen by treating the underlying problem.

In an earlier study, researchers found that a type air pressure mask can counter these sleep disruptions and reduce the risk of heart attacks, another after effect of apnea. But separate results published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that such breathing devices did not help patients with heart failure and a different form of apnea, called central apnea, live any longer.

Although it's not clear that the same treatment can help against stroke, Yarri said that it's wise bet, either way.

"Everyone will sleep better," he said.