Results from a three year study recently presented at the Sleep 2012 Conference in Boston indicate that a lack of sleep and higher stroke risk may be connected to one another. Adults who routinely get less than 6 hours of sleep a night are 4 times more likely to suffer a stroke, compared with people getting 7 or 8 hours of sleep.  The researchers in fact, were surprised that the risk applied to adults who were at a healthy weight, and had no risk factors or history of stroke, and no increased risk for sleep apnea or other sleep problems.

“People know how important diet and exercise are in preventing strokes.  The public is less aware of the impact of insufficient amounts of sleep.  Sleep is important – the body is stressed when it doesn’t get the right amount” said lead author Megan Ruiter of the University of Alabama.

Experts recommend adults get 7 to 9 hours of sleep a night, but according to recent data, about 30% of working Americans are getting by on 6 hours a night or less…….Time Health   6-12-12

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