Well how many times have you been reminded that binge watching your favourite series at night is bad for your sleep? Well we do agree that a good night’s sleep is very important for a person’s overall well being as this is the only time that our body gets to rejuvenate and repair itself. Sleep is said to be an important part of our lives as there are multiple functions that are carried out by our body during this time. From repairing the wear and tear of the body to providing relief from mental fatigue and from regulating metabolism to improving memory, sleep is surely essential for a healthy mind and healthy body. Where sleep plays such an important role in keeping us healthy and fit, have you ever wondered that it can also be a reason behind some deadly cardiovascular disease? As everything is good and beneficial in moderation, it is important to know that too much of good can be harmful as well. Although getting a proper sleep comes with myriad benefits, oversleeping can have its own harmful side effects as well. This World Stroke Day let’s spread awareness about this condition and learn how oversleeping can hamper a person’s heart health to an extent that it can increase the risk of stroke. Read along to know more about the relation between these two with Dr. Jaideep Bansal, Director & HOD, Neurology, Fortis Hospital, Shalimar Bagh.
What is a stroke?
In order to understand how excessive sleeping or sleeping disorders can contribute to increasing the risk of stroke, it is important to know what stroke actually is. Caused due to a blockage in the artery because of the formation of blood clots within the brain. This blockage in the brain arteries can eventually lead to cutting off the blood circulation in the brain and hence causing stroke. Where blocked arteries are not the only ones to be blamed, as stroke can be caused due to a ruptured blood vessel. As the blood vessel gets ruptured, it leads to blood leakage in the surrounding tissues and resulting in high blood pressure.This causes a strain in the walls of the arteries and thn causes a stroke.
Image Credits- NeoFect
Also Read: World Stroke Day 2021: 3 Types Of Stroke And Symptoms You Must Be Aware Of
With stroke being such a serious condition, there are some risk factors that can contribute to this condition out of which some of them are avoidable. Some of the common causes of a stroke are- high blood pressure, family history, high cholesterol levels, age and smoking.
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How Can Excessive Sleeping Increase The Risk Of Stroke?
As said, sleep is important for keeping a person menrally and physically fit in order to carry out all the body functions in a proper manner and repairing the wear and tear of the body. Where adequate sleep helps in proper functioning of the body. Where sleep is such an essential part of our well being, it is important to know that various sleeping disorders can cause a lot of trouble and can be a reason for various health issues. Not only sleeping less is harmful for the body but excessive sleep is also associated with increased risk of certain fatal diseases including stroke.
With cardiovascular diseases such as heart attacks and stroke being one of the leading causes of death all over the globe that is affecting people of almost every age group. Due to this, people out there, especially young adults and middle aged people need to pay attention to their sleeping pattern from the duration of sleep to the sleep quality.
Image credits- Sleep Foundation
With sleep disorders being recognised as an independent risk factor for stroke it is important to know that stroke is a cardiovascular condition that itself can lead to various sleeping disorders such as obstructive sleep apnoea, lack of sleep, restless leg syndrome, sleep behaviour disorder and excessive sleep or hypersonic.
Here’s what Dr. Jaideep Bansal, Director & HOD, Neurology, Fortis Hospital, has to say about this- “Sleep disorders not only have an important role as a risk factor for stroke but post-stroke sleep disorders have important factors in stroke recovery and prognosis also. Stroke may cause various sleep disorders like- lack of sleep, restless leg syndrome, excessive sleep,, obstructive sleep apnoea and sleep behaviour disorder. Sleep disorders are increasingly recognised as independent modifiable risk factors for stroke.
Some of the recent studies have shown that sleeping more than nine hours per night may predispose the person for stroke and increase their risk of stroke by 85 percent. Obstructive sleep apnea is one of the most common known risk factors for stroke. Excessive daytime sleepiness is part of OSA.
Also Read: World Stroke Day 2021: Know What Causes Ischemic Strokes In Youngsters
How excessive sleep is associated with the occurrence of stroke is not clearly understood but studies have shown that people who sleep too much may gain weight or may have increased cholesterol levels and both of these are risk factors for stroke. In addition, people who sleep too much may depression or a sedentary lifestyle which are also related to increased risk of stroke”
As said too much of good can be harmful as well and everything is good when it is in moderation. On one hand where sleeping is an essential part of our lives and is crucial for overall body functioning, excessive sleep can be very dangerous for your health and lead to conditions like stroke.
With inputs from Dr. Jaideep Bansal, Director & HOD, Neurology, Fortis Hospital, Shalimar Bagh.