21 Aug Can Sleep Apnea Increase Your Risk of Stroke?
Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder, but many people who have it don’t even realize that they have a problem. That’s because sleep apnea doesn’t cause wakefulness like insomnia, but rather, it causes pauses in breathing throughout the night. Someone with sleep apnea may wake up periodically throughout the night without knowing it, and they will feel like they did not sleep at all when they wake up in the morning. If you are familiar with this sensation, it’s important to talk to your doctor about the possibility that you have sleep apnea. When this condition is diagnosed, it is treatable with a variety of options, which can save you from serious side effects of untreated sleep apnea. One of the more worrisome effects of sleep apnea is the increased risk of stroke. You can learn more about the connection between sleep apnea and stroke below.
Effects of Sleep Apnea
Because sleep apnea limits the amount of oxygen that the body receives during sleep, the brain may sustain ongoing damage from this condition. In addition, sleep apnea tends to be associated with poor circulatory health, which has a direct tie to ischemic stroke risk. Sleep apnea sufferers may have higher blood pressure, higher cholesterol, and an increased heart attack risk, and each of these factors can drive up the risk for stroke.
Common Risk Factors
Along with the risk for stroke that sleep apnea causes, you should consider the common risk factors for the two conditions. These include overweight/obesity, hereditary factors, and alcohol consumption. Taking into account the causes of sleep apnea as you seek treatment can help you address these underlying factors for better overall health.