Stroke Survivors More Likely to Experience Abnormal Sleep

Summary: A recent study published in Neurology found that stroke survivors are more likely to experience abnormal sleep patterns, such as sleeping too much or too little, compared to those without a history of stroke. The study, which involved over 39,000 participants, identified a significant association between stroke and disrupted sleep, though it does not prove causality. The findings suggest that abnormal sleep in stroke survivors could impact recovery and quality of life.

Key Takeaways:

Abnormal Sleep Patterns: Stroke survivors are 54% more likely to sleep more than eight hours and 50% more likely to sleep less than six hours compared to those without a stroke history.
Impact Across Age Groups: The study found that abnormal sleep patterns were more common in stroke survivors across all age groups, from 18-44 to 65+.
Potential for Improved Care: Researchers say the results highlight the importance of screening for sleep issues in stroke patients, as improving sleep habits may positively impact recovery and long-term health outcomes.

People who have had a stroke may be more likely to sleep too much or too little compared to those without prior stroke, according to a study published in Neurology. The study does not prove that stroke causes abnormal sleep; it only shows an association.

“Sleeping the right amount is considered essential for ideal brain and heart health,” says study author Sara Hassani, MD, of Duke University School of Medicine and member of the American Academy of Neurology, in a release. “We know that abnormally long or short sleep after stroke can affect recovery and deteriorate quality of life, so these results should prompt us to screen for these issues and look at how we can help people improve their sleep habits.”

The study involved 39,559 people. Of the group, 1,572 people had a stroke, and 37,987 people did not have a stroke.

Tracking Sleep in Those With and Without Stroke

Every two years, participants were asked how much sleep they usually get at night on weekdays or workdays. Sleep duration was divided into three categories: short, less than six hours; normal, six to eight hours; and long, eight or more hours of sleep.

Researchers looked at how often participants had normal sleep, defined as six to eight hours.

[RELATED: Sleep Disturbances Prevalent in Stroke Patients]

Normal sleep duration was less common for people who had a stroke than for those with no prior stroke for all age groups with 32% vs 54% for people age 18-44; 47% vs 55% for people age 45-64; and 45% vs 54% for people over age 65.

After adjusting for factors that could affect sleep such as age, weight, and high blood pressure, researchers found people who had a stroke were 54% more likely to report more than eight hours of sleep per night compared to those without stroke. Those with stroke were 50% more likely to get less than six hours of sleep per night when compared to those without stroke.

Implications and Future Research

“In previous research, stroke has been linked to abnormal sleep, in particular sleep apnea,” says Hassani in a release. “Conditions like insomnia and excessive sleepiness are common in stroke patients and may occur as a direct or indirect consequence of stroke itself. Future research should explore the links between stroke and duration of sleep and determine the effect of sleep duration on outcomes after stroke.”

A limitation of the study was that hours of sleep were self-reported, so participants may not have remembered accurately how much they slept.