Research Finds These Common Sleep Problems Are Tied To Higher Stroke Risk

There are a number of factors that can increase your risk for stroke: smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes, and more.

But according to research published in the journal Neurology, there's another factor that may dramatically increase your risk for stroke—poor sleep.

For this study, researchers wanted to take a closer look at the connection between sleep problems and incidence of stroke. To do so, they looked at just under 4,500 people with an average age of 62. Roughly half of the participants had never had a stroke, while the other half had had a stroke previously.

The participants were asked about their sleeping habits and any subsequent sleep issues they may be experiencing, with researchers accounting for variables such as smoking, depression, alcohol consumption, and physical activity.

It's important to note this research did not identify a direct link between sleep and stroke risk, only a strong correlation.

Nevertheless, as study author Christine McCarthy, M.B., BCh, BAO, explains in a news release, "Not only do our results suggest that individual sleep problems may increase a person's risk of stroke, but having more than five of these symptoms may lead to five times the risk of stroke compared to those who do not have any sleep problems."

While we wait for more research to unpack how sleep issues could be impacting stroke risk, the good news is, we can always take steps to focus on our sleep hygiene and decrease our risk of stroke.

The essential sleep rules, like going to bed and waking up at the same time every day, are a good place to start—along with avoiding caffeine and alcohol too close to bed, which can impact sleep quality.

Talk to your doctor if you're experiencing persistent sleep issues, and consider opting for a quality sleep supplement with ingredients like magnesium and pharmaGABA, which are research-backed to help you fall asleep faster and improve sleep quality. (Here are nine of our favorites, all vetted by a nutrition scientist.)