AHA News: Sleep Disorders Annoy Stroke Survivors – And Endanger them – Consumer Health News

Thursday, January 7, 2021 (American Heart Association News)-People suffering from a stroke or mini-stroke often experience a variety of sleep disorders in the months that follow, increasing their risk of subsequent strokes. This is a possible problem. The analysis shows.

Sleep disorders such as insomnia, dyspnea during sleep, restless legs syndrome, and unconscious leg movements are more stroke survivors than the general population, according to a study published Thursday in the American Heart Association journal Stroke. It is often seen in. Researchers have found that sleep disorders are more likely to occur among women, smokers, people in other health conditions, and people who have a stroke at an older age.

“When sleep deprivation occurs, patients may also experience cognitive deficits such as poor concentration and working memory,” said the lead author of the study, associate professor and deputy director of the School of Nursing at Taipei Medical University in Taiwan. Said Xiaoyang Chiu. Because of the many heart and brain health problems associated with sleep deprivation, she said doctors need to perform sleep studies or tests on stroke patients to treat any sleep problems that occur.

In the United States, someone has a stroke every 40 seconds, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Approximately 12% of people with a full-blown stroke first experience a transient ischemic attack, or TIA, also known as a “mini-stroke” or “warning stroke.” These cause temporary symptoms such as weakness, indistinct speech, and dizziness, which disappear within 24 hours.

Sleep disorders, especially sleep apnea, are considered independent risk factors for stroke if breathing repeatedly stops and begins at night. Due to the high prevalence of sleep disorders among stroke survivors, AHA recommends assessing sleep disorders to prevent further stroke and TIA.

In a new review, researchers analyzed 185 studies on sleep disorders in stroke survivors and experienced respiratory interruption or shallowness during sleep, insomnia, regular leg movements, and restless legs syndrome 64,047. It is intended for people. They found that people with a stroke or mini-stroke had a higher prevalence than the general public in these conditions long after the stroke occurred.

The study highlights the widespread nature of sleep disorders associated with heart, brain, and other types of health, said Michael Grandner, director of the University of Arizona’s Tucson Sleep and Health Research Program. I will. Grandner, who was not involved in the study, co-authored the AHA Scientific Statement on the effects of sleep on heart health.

“It’s important to note that sleep is a fundamental part of our biology, and so is breathing and eating. It’s not an option,” he said. “That’s what our body needs to function and that’s why it’s involved in so many different systems. It’s very important for both heart and brain health.”

In fact, recent studies have suggested adding sleep to the list of indicators that can predict heart health. AHA is currently measuring cardiovascular health using a method called Life’s Simple 7. It tracks tobacco use, weight, diet, physical activity, cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels.

However, sleep disorders are often overlooked.

“Sleep problems are not yet well addressed in cardiovascular care,” says Grandner. “There is growing awareness of the role of sleep apnea, but there are no insomnia or other sleep problems. In this study, not only breathing problems with sleep disorders such as apnea, but also cardiovascular care. We also looked at other sleep disorders that are often noted. “

In particular, he said he was hit by a high prevalence of insomnia among those recovering from a stroke. The study found that nearly 41% of people with a stroke or mini-stroke suffered from insomnia immediately after the stroke. Although the prevalence decreased slightly over time, less than 36% of people with a stroke or mini-stroke had sleep problems after more than 3 months.

Insomnia is often treated as a mental health problem when doctors recognize it, Grandner said. “Usually not rejected or even asked. We consider it a complaint or something we have to overcome. These data highlight the fact that it exists in stroke patients. . Don’t ignore it. “

American Heart Association News Covers heart and brain health. Not all views expressed in this story reflect the official position of the American Heart Association. Copyrighted by American Heart Association, Inc. Owned or owned by, and all rights are reserved. If you have any questions or comments about this story, please email [email protected].

Laura Williamson