Can irregular, inadequate sleep raise stroke risk? Dr Arvind Badiger explains

After late working hours and the exhaustion that follows a hectic day, sleep is the first thing people neglect. Spending one more hour on the phone at night or going to bed at different times each day does not seem a big problem. Many believe the shortfall can be made up by sleeping longer at the weekend. Dr Arvind Badiger, Technical Director of BDR Pharmaceuticals International Pvt. Ltd., has explained the matter in detail.

According to Dr Badiger, when inadequate sleep becomes a regular habit, the effects are not limited to tiredness. It can also affect the health of the heart and blood vessels. Staying up late on a single night does not cause a stroke, he said, but repeatedly not getting enough restful sleep is a greater concern.

On the link between sleep and blood pressure, Dr Badiger said blood pressure falls during normal sleep, which gives the heart and blood vessels rest after the day's stress. If sleep is frequently interrupted or insufficient, this natural process can be disturbed. Inadequate sleep has been linked to raised blood pressure, inflammation in the body and, over time, impaired regulation of blood sugar.

High blood pressure is one of the most important risk factors for stroke, Dr Badiger said. If blood pressure stays high for a long time, it can damage blood vessels and raise the risk of stroke. A stroke caused by a blocked blood vessel is called an ischaemic stroke, and one caused by bleeding in the brain is called a haemorrhagic stroke.

He noted that obstructive sleep apnoea is also a concern. In this condition, breathing repeatedly stops for short periods during sleep, which can put extra strain on the heart and blood vessels. Identifying sleep-related disorders and treating them properly is therefore an important part of overall health management, he said.

Asked whether the timing of sleep matters, Dr Badiger said duration is only one factor. The body's internal biological clock is called the circadian rhythm. It helps regulate sleep, the secretion of hormones and many other processes. If sleeping and waking times keep changing, this rhythm can be disturbed. If sleep duration is also falling, the effect can be more pronounced.

Dr Badiger said some studies have found that irregular sleep timing is associated with high blood pressure, obesity and other risk factors related to the heart and blood vessels. But the relationship is complex. Poor or inadequate sleep does not mean a stroke will certainly occur. Researchers are still studying how much of the risk seen with sleep deficiency is due directly to sleep and how much to other health or lifestyle factors.

Dr Badiger clarified that the message is not that everyone must sleep at a fixed time. Keeping sleeping and waking times as regular as possible and getting enough sleep can be useful for long-term health, he said.

On when to see a doctor, Dr Badiger said regular loud snoring, gasping for breath during sleep, others noticing that breathing stops for a while during sleep, and heavy sleepiness during the day should not be dismissed as mere tiredness. These may be symptoms of sleep apnoea, so a medical check-up is necessary. If someone has long-term insomnia that affects daily work, proper medical treatment is needed, he said.

According to Dr Badiger, most adults need seven to nine hours of sleep a day. Keeping sleeping and waking times regular, limiting caffeine later in the day, staying physically active and exercising, and creating a comfortable sleeping environment can help with better sleep. Keeping blood pressure under control, managing diabetes properly, eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly and avoiding smoking are important measures for preventing stroke. But equal attention should be paid to getting enough sleep, he said.