Daytime naps linked to increased risk of stroke in elderly
Regular dozing during the day could increase risk of stroke in elderly
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Friday, 22, Feb 2008 10:29
Elderly people who regularly doze during the day may have an increased risk of stroke, a new study suggests.
It found that stroke risk was two to four times greater in those with moderate dozing - unintentionally falling asleep - than those who never napped.
People who dozed the most had a 4.5 times higher risk.
Researchers behind the study, discussed at the American Stroke Association's international stroke conference, say it suggests that daytime dozing "may be an important and novel stroke risk factor".
They studied over 2,000 people who were assessed for their dozing habits.
After an average follow-up of 2.3 years, 40 strokes and 127 vascular events had occurred.
After controlling for several stroke risk factors including age, sex, blood pressure, diabetes, obesity and physical activity they found unexpectedly high stroke risks for the 'some dozing' and 'significant dozing' groups compared to 'no dozing'.
The risk of a heart attack or vascular death was higher — 1.6 per cent for the moderate dozers and 2.6 per cent for the significant dozers.
Lead author of the study Dr Bernadette Boden-Albala described the increased risks as "significant numbers".
"Given what's known now, it's worth assessing patients for sleep problems," she said.
"And the initial assessment can be something as simple as the Epworth scale [assessing dozing]. If patients are moderately or significantly dozing, physicians need to think about sending them for further evaluation."
Dr Boden-Albala added: "Studies demonstrate that we are not getting enough sleep, so we're tired.
"But the real question is, what are we doing to our bodies? Sleepiness obviously puts us at risk of stroke."