Individuals who snore severely or have trouble staying awake during the day should see a doctor to find out why. These may be signs of certain sleep disorders such as sleep apnea, which is associated with an increased risk of having a stroke. Sleep apnea is a condition in which breathing stops briefly and repeatedly during sleep. The breathing abnormality often causes snoring and frequent awakening as the sleeper quickly gasps for breath. Even if the person with sleep apnea is unaware of the awakenings, this disrupted sleep can lead to drowsiness during the day.
Sleep apnea is recognized as a contributor to heart disease and stroke.
They took these variables into consideration in their latest study and found that the risk for stroke was independently and significantly associated with daytime sleepiness, average hours of sleep and nighttime snoring, Qureshi says. The participants were also examined for the presence of carotid artery stenosis, a build-up of fatty material leading to narrowing of the principal arteries to the neck and head. Carotid artery stenosis is itself an indicator of a higher risk of stroke. After adjusting for the other variables, the researchers found no association between carotid artery stenosis and sleep duration, daytime sleepiness and snoring. Exactly how the disruptions contribute to stroke and TIA risk is still uncertain.