Stroke risk increases by 56% in people who snore

Sleep Health

Campaign by the Brazilian Association of Otorhinolaryngology and Cervico-Facial Surgery aims to highlight the importance of a good night’s sleep for health.

Snoring, often seen as a common nighttime disturbance, may be associated with a significantly elevated risk of stroke, as revealed by a study published in The Lancet Regional Health. During an average follow-up period of 10 years, 19,623 participants developed stroke.

According to the coordinator of the Sleep Medicine department of the Brazilian Association of Otorhinolaryngology and Cervico-Facial Surgery (ABORL-CCF), Dr. Alexandre Ordones, nasal breathing, that is, the inhalation of air through the nose, is essential for quality of sleep and a night without hoarseness.

“Nasal obstruction can lead to sleep fragmentation, reducing the capacity for deep sleep, which is the phase of sleep in which brain waves are slower, “resting” and with inhibition through the neurons of the neocortex (a region located in the external part of the brain) which is related to functions such as motor commands, sensory perception, consciousness and language”, adds the doctor.

In order to emphasize the importance of breathing in sleep, ABORL-CCF will celebrate World Sleep Day, on March 15, with the “breathe well and sleep better” campaign, as a possibility to explore a problem that, often, it is seen as a simple nuisance. The Association’s experts will produce content on social media with the aim of raising awareness among the population about the problems of a bad night’s sleep.

Difficulty breathing through the nose can lead to sleep fragmentation, reducing the amount of deep sleep. According to the coordinator of the sleep department, this can cause daytime drowsiness, fatigue, memory changes, headaches in the morning, a feeling of loss of energy and chronic tiredness.

Snoring may be associated with obstructive sleep apnea, when there are recurring pauses in breathing during sleep. This disease can cause frequent drops in nighttime blood oxygen levels and this condition has been associated with systemic inflammation, which can affect the functioning of the entire body.

Analysis of the data published in the study revealed that snoring was closely linked to stroke, with a notable increase in the incidence of this outcome among those who suffered from nighttime snoring. Of the stroke cases recorded, 11,483 were classified as ischemic, while 5,710 were identified as hemorrhagic.

“The results of the study confirm that people who snored had a 56% greater chance of having a stroke. Furthermore, when we look closer, we see significant differences between the two types of accidents: the risk of hemorrhagic stroke increased by 50% for those who snored, while the risk of ischemic stroke more than doubled, with an increase of 102%. ”, declares Ordones.

Prevention and treatment

To treat sleep problems, it is necessary to carefully evaluate each case. The diagnosis is made through an exam called polysomnography, which is a non-invasive procedure carried out while the patient is sleeping.

“During a night’s sleep, data is collected so that the doctor can diagnose sleep disorders, such as obstructive apnea, periodic leg movements and nocturnal behaviors, such as sleepwalking”, informs the specialist.

Some tips are useful for improving sleep quality:

• Maintain a healthy weight: weight gain can result in the accumulation of fat in the structures around the pharynx and tongue, which reduces the space available for air passage;
• Avoid alcohol consumption: the drink can relax the pharyngeal muscles, which facilitates the occurrence of apnea;
• Do not smoke for at least 4 hours before bed: smoking inflames the upper airways, which can make breathing difficult;
• Practicing physical activity regularly: improves cardiorespiratory capacity and lowers blood pressure, thus reducing the risk of stroke.

*With information from consultancy

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