In a study presented at the Associated Professional Sleep
Societies annual meeting in Boston, researchers have concluded that in
normal-weight people (both midlifers and seniors) without sleep apnea, that is,
in people who do not already have 2 key risk factors for stroke (being
overweight and suffering from sleep apnea), there is as much as a fourfold
increase in the risk of
stroke.
Why?
Probably because lack of proper sleep leads to hormonal
and metabolic changes, is linked to a higher risk of inflammation (which is now
known to play a key role in many chronic health problems), and the one that is
probably particularly important, is also linked to a higher risk of high blood
pressure, the major risk factor for stroke.
Bottom line: get your sleep – not just in terms of hours
but also in terms of good quality – it’s crucial for brain health.
