Researchers from the National University of Ireland examined how sleep quality relates to stroke risk. The findings, published in the journal Neurology, indicate that sleep disturbances may play a meaningful role in cardiovascular health. The study looked at a broad range of sleep characteristics and their associations with stroke incidence and outcomes.
Sleep issues were categorized into several types: insufficient sleep, excessive sleep, daytime sleepiness, poor sleep quality, snoring, and sleep apnea. Across the study population, the presence of five or more of these problems correlated with a higher likelihood of stroke. The project included 4,496 adults, with 2,243 stroke survivors among the participants. Volunteers completed a comprehensive survey detailing their sleep experiences, nightly habits, and perceived sleep quality.
Key results showed a dose response between sleep duration and stroke risk. Individuals sleeping fewer than five hours per night were about three times more likely to have a stroke than those who averaged seven hours. Conversely, those sleeping more than nine hours had more than twice the risk. Participants reporting more than an hour of daytime sleepiness per day exhibited an 88 percent higher risk than those with little or no daytime sleepiness.
Snoring emerged as another significant factor. Participants who snored faced roughly a 91 percent higher chance of stroke compared with non-snorers. Sleep apnea, a condition characterized by disrupted breathing during sleep, was associated with nearly triple the risk relative to those without the condition.
When five or more sleep-related symptoms were present, the data suggested a fivefold increase in stroke risk compared with individuals without sleep problems. While the exact mechanisms remain to be fully understood, the researchers noted that these findings are an important clue that sleep health could influence stroke risk in meaningful ways.
The authors emphasized that the study shows associations rather than definitive cause-and-effect relationships, and they called for further research to clarify how sleep interventions might reduce stroke risk. The work contributes to a growing body of evidence underscoring sleep as an integral part of overall cardiovascular well-being.
Source: Neurology; National University of Ireland studies on sleep and stroke risk; commentary from the research team on implications for prevention and future investigations.