Sleep and stroke risk

Symptoms of sleep disturbance are common, and may represent important modifiable risk factors for stroke.

In this study (Neurology. Published online April 6) the authors evaluated the association between a spectrum of sleep disturbance symptoms and risk of acute stroke in an international setting.

Overall, 4,496 matched participants were included, with 1,799 of participants having experienced an ischemic stroke and 439 an intracerebral haemorrhage.

The authors found that sleep disturbance symptoms were common, and associated with a graded increased risk of stroke.

These symptoms may be a marker of increased individual risk, or represent independent risk factors.