A stroke happens when blood supply to part of the brain is cut off. This can be due to different reasons, such as a blood clot or a burst blood vessel. A stroke can cause serious damage to the brain and can even be fatal.

There are different factors that can increase the risk of having a stroke, such as high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, and heart disease. However, recent research suggests that there may be a hidden factor that doubles your stroke risk.

The Hidden Factor: Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a common condition where a person’s breathing is repeatedly interrupted during sleep. This happens because the muscles in the throat and tongue relax, blocking the airway and reducing the amount of oxygen that reaches the lungs.

As a result, the person wakes up briefly to gasp for air, often without realizing it. This pattern can repeat hundreds of times during the night, disrupting sleep and causing fatigue and daytime sleepiness.

What many people don’t realize is that sleep apnea is also a risk factor for stroke.

In fact, recent studies have found that people with sleep apnea are twice as likely to have a stroke compared to people without sleep apnea, even after adjusting for other risk factors such as age, sex, and smoking.

How Sleep Apnea Increases Stroke Risk

There are different ways in which sleep apnea can increase the risk of stroke. One way is by causing hypertension, or high blood pressure. During sleep apnea episodes, the body triggers a stress response that increases heart rate and blood pressure.

Over time, this can lead to chronic hypertension, which is a major risk factor for stroke.

Another way in which sleep apnea can increase stroke risk is by causing changes in the blood vessels that supply blood to the brain.

Chronic oxygen deprivation, as occurs during sleep apnea, can cause damage to the blood vessel walls, leading to inflammation and narrowing. This can reduce blood flow to the brain and increase the risk of stroke.

Sleep Apnea and Cardiovascular Risk

It’s not just stroke that sleep apnea is linked to. The condition has also been associated with an increased risk of other cardiovascular problems, such as heart attack, heart failure, and atrial fibrillation.

Again, the link between sleep apnea and cardiovascular disease is thought to be related to the chronic stress response and oxygen deprivation that occur during sleep apnea episodes.

Diagnosing and Treating Sleep Apnea

If you suspect that you or a loved one may have sleep apnea, it’s important to get a proper diagnosis and treatment.

Sleep apnea is often underdiagnosed because many people are not aware of the symptoms and may not even realize they are waking up briefly during the night. Some of the signs of sleep apnea include:.

Loud snoring
Gasping, snorting, or choking during sleep
Pauses in breathing during sleep
Feeling tired or sleepy during the day
Headaches in the morning
Irritability or mood changes

If you have any of these symptoms, you should talk to your doctor about a sleep study. A sleep study is a test that measures different body functions during sleep, such as breathing, oxygen levels, brain waves, and muscle activity.

Based on the results of the sleep study, your doctor can determine if you have sleep apnea and how severe it is.

Treatment of sleep apnea typically involves the use of a device called a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine.

The CPAP machine consists of a mask that covers the nose and/or mouth and delivers a continuous stream of air to keep the airway open during sleep. Other treatments for sleep apnea may include lifestyle changes, such as losing weight, avoiding alcohol and sedatives, and sleeping on your side instead of your back.

Conclusion

Sleep apnea is a commonly undiagnosed condition that can increase the risk of stroke and other cardiovascular problems.

If you or a loved one have any of the symptoms of sleep apnea, it’s important to talk to your doctor about getting a proper diagnosis and treatment. With the right treatment, sleep apnea can be managed effectively, reducing the risk of stroke and improving overall health and well-being.