Saturday, June 13, 2009

Sleep pattern predicts stroke risk

Scientists have suggested that habitual sleep patterns can predict the risk of suffering ischemic stroke in postmenopausal women.

According to a study published in the Stroke, getting nine hours or more of sleep every night is associated with a 60 percent increased ischemic stroke risk.

Findings also revealed that women suffering from sleep deprivation (less than six hours of sleep), are at a 14 percent higher risk of suffering stroke.

Albert Einstein College of Medicine researchers believe sleep apnea or restless sleep can be the underlying cause of the increased risk; however, the main reason is still unclear.

The study also showed that being retired or unemployed, smoking, being physically inactive or having cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol or depression are other factors associated with long hours of sleep.


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