Strokes affect almost 800,000 people each year, according to Missouri Medicine. The scary vascular disease can make you worry about yourself or your loved ones. The chances of having a stroke increase if someone has sleep apnea, and having a stroke may increase the chances of developing sleep apnea.
Visit Neurodiagnostics Medical P.C. to find a neurologist in New York to treat sleep apnea and strokes. These two are closely related, and your doctor can monitor them at the same time to reduce the chances of them affecting your life.
Understanding Sleep Apnea and Strokes
Sleep apnea and strokes are very different from each other, but they’re closely associated. Understanding each one and knowing how to recognize symptoms can save lives.
Strokes
A stroke is a cerebrovascular accident (CVA) where blood can’t get to the brain. The types of strokes are:
- Hemorrhagic stroke: This one is caused by a burst blood vessel causing hemorrhaging in the brain.
- Ischemic stroke: This one is due to an obstruction stopping blood from flowing to your brain.
- Mini-stroke: You may have a mini-stroke if you start to have stroke symptoms, but they go away.
Common stroke symptoms include numbness in half the body, confusion and slurring of words, reduced vision, sudden headache, and difficulting standing or walking. Stroke risks increase for anyone who has sleep apnea, hypertension, diabetes, atherosclerosis, and any other condition that causes your airways to narrow.
Sleep Apnea
According to the Chest Journal, obstructive sleep apnea develops when the airways narrow or if nerves and muscles don’t respond correctly. It’s often due to hypoxia, which lowers blood oxygen in the body’s tissues.
How Sleep Apnea and Strokes Are Related
Stroke estimates that up to 44% of cerebrovascular accidents happen while a person sleeps. It’s likely due to the person not receiving the prompt medical attention they need. People who have sleep apnea are thought to be more prone to strokes while sleeping due to the effects sleep apnea has on cardiovascular health.
Though sleep apnea affects the airways, it’s thought that the reduced pressure in the airways, lowered blood oxygen levels, and the heart working too hard could be what causes a stroke after having sleep-disordered breathing in the night. However, more research is needed to make confident conclusions.
How To Reduce the Risk of Stroke
You can’t prevent strokes completely, but you can greatly reduce your risk of having one by:
- Sleeping well: Avoid stimulants like caffeine before bed, make time to relax and turn off screens, and go to bed at the same time each night to establish good habits.
- Following treatments: Many people who are prescribed CPAP machines for sleep apnea don’t want to wear them. The machine is designed to prevent sleep-disordered breathing, which will greatly reduce your risk of having a stroke in your sleep.
- Testing for sleep disorders: If you suspect you may have sleep apnea, tell your doctor you want to get tested. Common symptoms include snoring, choking or gasping in your sleep, struggling to fall asleep or stay asleep, and always feeling tired no matter how well-rested you are.
- Sleeping just enough: Neurology reports that sleeping nine hours or more each night can increase your risk of strokes, especially if you also take a nap during the day. Aim for seven or eight hours of sleep each night, and avoid napping too often.
Visit Neurodiagnostics Medical P.C. for Sleep Disorder Treatment
If you have concerns about sleep apnea and strokes or want to find a doctor to look for stroke symptoms and diagnosis, Neurodiagnostics Medical P.C. can help. We take a holistic approach to neurological health to help you get the best treatment possible. We may have same-day appointments available, so call us any time to check our availability at (347) 602-9530.
Our doctors accept most insurance plans, including workers’ compensation, personal injury protection (PIP), and no-fault. We’re happy to answer any questions you have about insurance. Learn more now.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Other Conditions Have Been Linked to Untreated Sleep Apnea?
Many conditions have been linked to untreated sleep apnea, including strokes, diabetes, heart attacks, and a shorter lifespan.
What Is the Main Cause of Sleep Apnea?
Obstructed airways cause sleep apnea. Tonsils, hormones, obesity, and anything else that narrows your airways can contribute to the development of sleep apnea.
Can Sleep Apnea Cause a Stroke?
Strokes occur when blood flow to the brain is disrupted, which sleep apnea may cause. Sleep apnea and strokes increase the chances of each other.
