Sleep Apnea Common Among Stroke Victims

Having a stroke might add an additional health risk to those who have sleep apnea. The fact that this common sleep disorder is linked to other health problems is nothing new. However, a recent study showed that sleep apnea was surprisingly common among a certain type of stroke victim that suffers from “silent strokes.”

What Constitutes a Silent Stroke?

The medical condition silent stroke does not give any warning signs. There are no symptoms or visible signs that occur before a silent stroke. Most of the victims of this condition are unaware that they have had a stroke at all. But even a silent stroke can produce the post-attack symptoms that a regular stroke patients experience, like paralysis, pain and slurred speech. Silent strokes can also impair memory and mood. Oftentimes, a silent stroke is a precursor to a regular stroke.

A joint study was done by university researchers from Birmingham, Alabama and Dresden, Germany regarding the relationship between sleep apnea and stroke. Results concluded that those who had a history of silent strokes were also extremely likely to develop sleep apnea.

In the study, the research team assessed 56 people who had acute cerebral ischemia for a total of 18 months. Acute cerebral ischemia is a form of stroke that involves the blockage of blood flow toward the brain. These victims underwent CT scan and MRI in order to pinpoint areas of the brain affected by their strokes. In addition, they were also monitored for sleep apnea during an overnight test called a sleep study.

The university study revealed that:

• 91% of the case subjects had sleep apnea, mostly severe and moderate sleep apnea, and
• 58% of silent stroke patients displayed symptoms of severe sleep apnea.

Existence of severe sleep apnea was established as a pre-cursor of silent strokes. The subjects who had the sleep disorder also showed signs of slower recovery than those that did not have sleep problems. What is still unknown is the causal relationship between the two conditions. Does sleep apnea cause the stroke, or are stroke victims simply more likely to develop the sleep apnea?

A person who has sleep apnea experiences air flow blockage during sleep resulting in irregular pauses in breathing that last a few seconds each. Over time, sleep apnea slows down, if it does not completely stop, the flow of oxygenated blood to the brain. Sleep apnea episodes can occur many times a night, which can kill many brain cells in the long run. Sleep apnea is also known to increase the risk of other health problems like heart disease, diabetes and even sexual dysfunction. To learn more about obstructive sleep apnea, you should find a sleep doctor.

There are ongoing studies to learn more about this sleep disorder and what it can do to the mind and body if left unchecked. The aforementioned findings indicate that sleep apnea can very possibly lead to a silent stroke or even a regular stroke. Having a sleep study conducted to find out the severity of the problem and seeking a solution as soon as possible is the best way to handle any condition like sleep apnea. Any other sleep disorders should also be screened for and treated to avoid complications.