New research has been published on the dangerous effects obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has on stroke victims. Science Daily reports that sleep apnea makes stroke victims worse, so it’s important to identify OSA and treat it before a stroke occurs.
Since stroke is the 3rd leading cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the United States, and more than 18 million American adults have sleep apnea, you get the picture: there’s a lot of people poised to have big problems post-stroke because they’re already suffering from OSA.
“Stroke victims tend to do worse if they also have diagnosed or undiagnosed obstructive sleep apnea prior to having the stroke”, reported Latha Stead, M.D. at the American Academy of Neurology annual meeting. She explained that it “is more difficult for the brain and related tissue to heal when blood is not properly oxygenated during a disrupted sleep cycle. Patients do not respond well to stroke rehabilitation when they are repeatedly sleep deprived”. This makes more sense once you know the definition of sleep apnea. The National Sleep Foundation defines OSA as a disorder in which breathing is briefly and repeatedly interrupted during sleep. The “apnea” in sleep apnea refers to a breathing pause that lasts at least ten seconds.
Sleep apnea…it’s a lot more common than most people are aware of.
And if you’re not already worried, here’s some of the negative consequences of living with sleep apnea: excessive sleepiness, high blood pressure, heart attack, congestive heart failure, cardiac arrhythmia, stroke or depression.
Don’t wait for disaster to strike in the form of a stroke.
Take the time to go to screenings offered in your area or seek the advice of a medical professional to discover your risk factors and the steps to a healthier longer life!
By Emily S.
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