Here’s how sleep can reduce your risk of stroke

This Stroke Awareness Month, take active steps to improve your sleep for the good of your health

May marks Stroke Awareness Month, which acts as a necessary reminder for all of us to look after our health. In the UK alone, stroke strikes every five minutes. More than 100,000 people have a stroke every year in Britain, and there are 1.3 million stroke survivors alive today. Stroke Awareness Month encourages people to familiarise themselves with the risks and signs of stroke, supporting their own health and the health of others.

Sleep is among the many health factors which can impact your risk of suffering a stroke. By prioritising sleep, you can reduce your chances of experiencing a stroke and support your wellbeing in the long run.

We’re going to take a closer look at the relationship between sleep and stroke.

Prioritising sleep is key

Sleep is vital for our overall health, yet humans are the only mammals that actively delay it. There are many reasons why we put off going to bed, but it’s usually in an effort to carve out a bit of downtime at the end of the day after work and social or family commitments. This is known as revenge bedtime procrastination.

Yet prioritising sleep is essential. Director of the Sleep Institute at Baylor Scott and White Clinic, Carl D. Boethel, MD, states that society “doesn’t emphasise sleep”. He continues, “We sacrifice it for so many other things, usually entertainment.”

How does a lack of sleep increase your risk of stroke?

There are a lot of key factors involved in sleep which, when we go without them, could increase your risk of suffering a stroke. One factor is that sleep deprivation puts your body into a state of inflammation.

Inflammation can come from increased cortisol levels, otherwise known as the stress hormone. Your cortisol levels can change due to a lack of sleep, and the inflammation this causes can increase your risk of arterial hypertension, heart disease and stroke.

Not getting enough sleep can also increase your heart rate and blood pressure, putting you at even greater risk of stroke.

Why is sleep important?

Sleep is necessary in order to restore your brain and body at the end of the day. It works to support healthy brain function and maintain physical health, benefitting everything from weight management to your ability to concentrate and form memories.

When we fail to get enough sleep, it becomes more difficult to focus, regulate our mood and avoid temptation. It also increases your risk to a whole host of wider health conditions, from physical health conditions like heart disease to mental health conditions like anxiety and depression.

How to improve your sleep habits

The best way to prioritise a healthy sleep routine is to make sure you’re getting enough sleep every night, and this means aiming to go to bed and wake up at roughly the same time every day. The National Sleep Foundation recommends getting between 7-9 hours of sleep per night, and this should be preceded by an hour of relaxation – whether that’s reading, meditating, yoga or a bath – to help you wind down.

Avoid screens and smartphones in the run up to bedtime, and make sure your bedroom is cool, dark, quiet and comfortable.

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