Daytime Dozing A Sign Of Increased Stroke Risk
Posted February 22, 2008 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Going to bed early after a long day is one thing, but nod off during your favourite shows, after lunch, and while reading and you could be headed for a stroke. A US study found that unintentional napping is a sign of increased heart risk for the elderly.
In fact, the research found that people who dozed off regularly were two to four times more likely to have a stroke than those who never slept during the day. The risk of heart attack or death from vascular disease also increased.
One possible cause is a condition known as sleep apnea, where you stop breathing, then startle awake. The shock causes spikes in blood pressure.
The study distinguished between napping and dozing, although research leader Dr Bernadette Boden-Albala said, “we need to look at that,” for signs of other trouble.
If this sounds like you, or someone you know, you should speak with your doctor about being evaluated for a sleep disorder.
