Sleep Apnea And Strokes

Check Out This Video Which Discusses the Obstructive Sleep Apnea Connection with Strokes.

http://www.kutv.com/health/features/check-health/stories/vid_423.shtml

By Carla Roberts (KUTV) A few weeks ago, 78-year-old Malan Jackson suffered a stroke. “I suddenly felt confused in my head.” Jackson went to the emergency room and is now on the mend. Aside from therapy, doctors recommended that Malan undergo a sleep study to see if he had sleep apnea. 
Experts at Utah Valley Regional Medical Center are conducting a study to further understand a possible link between sleep apnea and strokes. Sleep apnea is a type of sleep disorder where a person stops breathing during sleep. The person may no breath for a few seconds, but doctors say over time, sleep apnea may cause serious health problems like strokes. “The biggest problem that we have is that 80-85% of everyone with sleep apnea still remains undiagnosed.” Wayne Woodward is assisting with the study at Utah Valley Regional Medical Center. He says numbers show that many people who suffered a stroke, had sleep apnea. He says there are treatments available for patients who have sleep apnea. “The data strongly supports that if we treat sleep apnea in stroke patients, we have much better outcomes.”
Risk factors for sleep apnea include: age, weight, blood pressure and snoring. Experts say if you suspect you have sleep apnea, you should see your doctor. A sleep study will help determine if you have sleep apnea or not. 
For more information, visit:http://intermountainhealthcare.org/hospitals/uvrmc/services/sleepcenter/Pages/home.aspx