Sleep too little or too much? You may have an increased risk of stroke, study finds

People who have sleep problems, such as getting too much or too little shut-eye, or even snoring, may be at higher risk of having a stroke, according to a recent international study.

A groundbreaking study conducted by esteemed researchers from the prestigious University of Cambridge and the esteemed Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences has unveiled a compelling correlation between sleep duration and the peril of stroke, revealing that both insufficient and excessive sleep may exponentially amplify the likelihood of experiencing this dire medical condition. Delving into meticulous analysis of voluminous data encompassing over 500,000 adults in China, the study astutely discerned that individuals who consistently slumbered for less than six hours or indulged in more than nine hours of sleep per night were perilously predisposed to an elevated risk of stroke, a critical health concern that remains the second foremost cause of worldwide mortality, accounting for a staggering 11% of all deaths as per the esteemed World Health Organization. It’s worth mentioning that stroke is also a formidable culprit responsible for causing debilitating disabilities.


The study further illuminated that those who slumbered for less than six hours per night were discernibly 18% more susceptible to experiencing a stroke in comparison to those who diligently clocked in between seven and eight hours of sleep per night, the widely recommended range for optimal functioning of the human body. Similarly, those who indulged in more than nine hours of sleep per night were an alarming 23% more predisposed to falling prey to a stroke. Intriguingly, the study also divulged that erratic sleep patterns were identified as a noteworthy risk factor, with individuals who displayed inconsistent sleep patterns found to be a staggering 23% more likely to experience a stroke in contrast to their counterparts who adhered to regular sleep patterns.

Unraveling the intricate mechanisms that underlie the complex relationship between sleep duration and stroke risk remains an ongoing quest for researchers. Several theories have been postulated to elucidate this phenomenon. One compelling theory posits that inadequate sleep may trigger hypertension, a well-documented risk factor for stroke. Another hypothesis proposes that excessive sleep may be indicative of underlying health issues, such as depression or sleep apnea, both of which are unequivocally associated with an augmented risk of stroke.


These groundbreaking findings incontrovertibly underscore the pivotal significance of obtaining adequate and quality sleep in safeguarding and optimizing overall health and well-being. While it’s widely acknowledged that most adults require between seven and eight hours of sleep per night to optimize their cognitive and physiological functioning, it’s crucial to acknowledge that individual sleep requirements may exhibit significant variability. Adhering to a consistent sleep schedule, creating an optimal sleep-friendly environment in the bedroom characterized by cool, dark, and tranquil conditions, and conscientiously avoiding the perils of electronic devices before bedtime can all seamlessly converge to ameliorate sleep quality.

If you’re grappling with sleep-related issues, it’s judicious to promptly seek counsel from your trusted healthcare provider, who can offer tailored recommendations for lifestyle modifications or judiciously prescribe medication to ameliorate your sleep. It’s also incumbent upon you to proactively address any underlying health conditions that may potentially impede your sleep, such as sleep apnea or depression, to diligently mitigate the risk of stroke and other insidious health complications.

In the definitive denouement, this seminal study unequivocally underscores the momentous significance of sleep duration vis-à-vis stroke risk, effectively sounding the clarion call for vigilance in optimizing sleep habits, conscientiously implementing healthy sleep practices, and promptly addressing any underlying health concerns to comprehensively safeguard against the peril of stroke and its myriad of deleterious consequences.