[ALERT] NEW Stroke Risk Factors You NEED to Know

Strokes are devastating.

They “scramble” your brain and can leave you with difficulties walking, talking, driving, or completing daily chores.

As you age, your risk for one of these events grows. In fact, by the time you reach middle age, your stroke risk rises to an uncomfortable 17 percent.

And the more birthdays you put under your belt, the more likely you are to suffer a stroke. Incredibly, your chance of having one nearly DOUBLES every 10 years after 55.

Most folks can name at least a few of the risk factors for stroke off the top of their head. And it’s likely none of those on the list surprise you. Well, until now.

*****

The most common stroke risk factors include:

  • high blood pressure
  • heart disease
  • diabetes
  • smoking
  • birth control pills (oral contraceptives)
  • history of transient ischemic attacks (TIAs)
  • high red blood cell count
  • unhealthy cholesterol and lipids

It’s a list most of us are familiar with.

But according to a new study published in the journal Neurology, there are several MORE you should add to the list. Those are getting too much or too little sleep, taking long naps, poor sleep, snoring, snorting, and sleep apnea.

All of those have something in common: poor sleep.

Folks who clocked in at under five hours of sleep were three times more likely to have a stroke than those who managed seven hours on average.

Plus, those whose naps lasted longer than one hour were 88 percent more likely to have a stroke than those whose 40 winks didn’t last as long.

And it gets worse.

You’re probably okay if you have only one of those problems (say, you snore). But if you have five or more of them, your risk for stroke is FIVE TIMES that of someone who sleeps well and doesn’t have any of those sleep problems.

If you want to reduce the risk of a stroke you need to start taking your sleep seriously. I’ve got some tips to help you do precisely that.

  • Exercise is one of the best paths to a good night’s sleep. When your body is physically tired, your mind has no choice but to give in. Find an exercise you love and increase how much you exercise when stressed.
  • Avoid caffeine in the afternoon, including coffee, tea, chocolate, and energy drinks.
  • Calming herbs such as hops, passionflower, lemon balm, chamomile, and valerian can relax the body and mind.
  • Theanine is an amino acid in green tea that helps people feel calm, supporting sleep.
  • Melatonin is a hormone you can get as a supplement that promotes good sleep.

Never discount the impact of poor sleep on your health. Commit to getting a good night’s rest tonight and every night, and watch your stroke risk plummet and your health soar.

P.S. A study has found that THIS “healthy” beverage could TRIPLE your stroke risk… even if you only drink it once a day. CLICK HERE for the details.

Source:

“Sleep Patterns and the Risk of Acute Stroke: Results from the INTERSTROKE International Case-Control Study,” 5 April 2013, Neurology. DOI: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000207249

Dr. Scott Olson, ND

Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND

Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.

View More Free Articles

BEAT Stubborn Leg Swelling Without Dangerous Diuretics

“I need help with edema.” —Swollen Hi Swollen, When patients complain of edema—fluid retention that causes feet, ankles, and legs to swell—I explain that, while conventional medicine immediately prescribes diuretic drugs, nature offers us effective solutions we can try first. I’ll share those in just a moment, but first, let’s take a quick look at...

Read This

Mental Health Linked to 30% FASTER Aging [6-Step FIX]

Your mind and body are more connected than you might realize—and a groundbreaking new study proves just how profound that connection really is. In fact, it’s this mind-body link that helps explain why battling depression can put you on the fast track to physical decline. Depression is the most common mental health condition worldwide. We’ve...

Read This

The Air You Breathe Is Silently Stealing Your Memory

You already know that air pollution damages your lungs. Chances are you’ve heard it can also harm your heart. And I bet you won’t be surprised when I tell you it claims millions of lives annually. But now, alarming new research suggests polluted air might also damage your brain. This study found that long-term exposure...

Read This

Get Intermittent Fasting Benefits Without Going Hungry

Intermittent fasting, which involves cycling between eating and fasting periods, is effective. There’s plenty of evidence for that. It’s not just weight loss, either. Intermittent fasting has significant benefits for metabolic health. However, many people find fasting difficult to stick to—and others can’t do it at all due to medical issues—so they miss out on...

Read This

Just Diagnosed with Hypertension? —6 Things to Do Next

You’ve been diagnosed with high blood pressure—now what? First, take a breath. You’re not alone—over 30 percent of adults worldwide have hypertension. That makes it one of the most common health issues… and a top cause of preventable deaths. The good news is that, unlike some conditions that can leave you feeling helpless, high blood...

Read This

Brain Games Are USELESS—Do These 5 Things Instead

I’ve seen a lot of lists lately claiming to have the secrets that keep your brain from turning into mush as you age. They typically advise activities such as doing crosswords, learning Spanish, or taking up the accordion. Challenging your mind with new learning experiences is definitely a great way to keep your brain engaged...

Read This

This $5 Fix REVERSES Cellular Aging in Just 6 Months

You take your vitamins, eat your vegetables, and feel healthy—so your nutrition is covered… right? Well, new research suggests that even health-conscious older adults may be missing crucial nutrients that keep their cells functioning like those of younger people. The trouble is that as we age, our bodies become less efficient at absorbing nutrients from...

Read This

Mailbag: Doctors Get Bone Health WRONG—Here's What Really Works

“Thank you so much for answering this. With millions of women who are seniors over 70 facing a diagnosis of osteoporosis, this is my question. What can we do naturally to help improve our bone density, especially in the spine lumber 1 and 2? Also, how do we help improve bone density in the femur...

Read This

Critical Brain Nutrient Missing In 9 Out of 10 American Diets

You’ve probably heard plenty about brain-boosting omega-3s, antioxidants, and B vitamins. But there’s another nutrient that’s just as critical for your cognitive health. However, it’s been flying under the radar… until now. Mounting evidence suggests this overlooked compound could be key to protecting your brain and enhancing memory. It may even reduce your risk of...

Read This

"Miracle Berry" Supercharges Your Microbiome

Happy Father’s Day to all the dads and granddads who’ve shared their wisdom, strength, and love through the years. Thank you for teaching us that the best medicine is laughter, love, and a father’s caring heart. Want to upgrade your health but don’t want complicated diets or expensive supplements? Science just revealed a delicious way...

Read This