The Connection Between Sleep Apnea and Strokes

Sleep Apnea is common among stroke patients. It is estimated that two out of three people who suffer a stroke or a mini-stroke have the condition of obstructive sleep apnea in which the airway passage closes many times during sleep and causes breathing to stop which can lead to high blood pressure, irregular heartbeats and other long-term conditions.

New research shows that stroke patients who are treated for their sleep apnea, show significantly faster recovery than stroke patients without treatment for neurological issues. In the study, 59% of stroke patients who were treated for Obstructive Sleep Apnea had better outcomes than patients who were not treated.

Another caveat of the research shows that stroke patients often do not get diagnosed with sleep apnea prior to their stroke. This is key because the diagnoses may help prevent the stroke. With home sleep testing so accessible, the diagnosis can very easy. Just speaking to a primary physician about symptoms of sleep apnea through a basic questionnaire can help get the ball rolling to diagnosis and treatment.

If you have questions about sleep apnea and how to get started on treatment please call us.