[ALERT] NEW Stroke Risk Factors You NEED to Know
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted May 10, 2023
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
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
Why Does Scratching Feel So Good… If It’s So Bad?
You know that feeling—you get an itch, and no matter how much you try to ignore it, it takes over your brain until you finally give in. You scratch… and for a blissful moment, relief washes over you. But then, BAM! The itch comes back, angrier than ever. Sound familiar? Turns out, there’s a scientific...
Break Free from Back Pain NATURALLY
“I’m having lower back pain on both my left and right side. They have tried steroid injections, physical therapy, and dry needle injections and nothing seems to work. Any ideas that you might suggest?” —Still Aching Dear Aching, It’s incredibly frustrating when conventional pain treatments don’t provide the relief you’re seeking. When my patients struggle...
This Afternoon Beverage Break SLASHES Diabetes Risk
If you’re like most folks (and certain newsletter-writing doctors), you probably reach for another cup of coffee when the afternoon slump hits. Well, new research suggests switching your afternoon beverage choice could do more than keep you alert… it could shield you from type 2 diabetes. In fact, this simple drink swap could slash your...
Nightly "Brainwashing" Protects Your Memory
Think skipping sleep is no big deal? Think again. Groundbreaking research reveals that deep sleep does more than just help you feel refreshed. Another CRITICAL memory-preserving process is taking place behind the scenes. But here’s the concerning part… If you’re taking a sleeping pill, you might be blocking this crucial step. Here’s what you need...
The “Harmless” Additive DESTROYS Your Brain
Ever wonder why ice cream stays creamy in the freezer? Or why peanut butter doesn’t separate? The answer is emulsifiers—common food additives that manufacturers love. However, new research suggests these “harmless” ingredients could be causing serious brain damage. And they’re hiding in more foods than you can imagine… A disturbing new study published in Brain,...
One Move Adds 5 YEARS to Your Life
Believe it or not, the fountain of youth might be closer than you think… A groundbreaking study reveals that a simple activity you’ve been doing since you were a toddler could add YEARS to your life. And the best part? It won’t cost you a dime… New research published in the British Journal of Sports...
Walking Trick Reveals Your Fitness Level
We count on doctors to tell us how healthy we are. They take our blood pressure, listen to our hearts, and send us out for blood work to get the answer. But there’s something else you can do anytime you want to know your fitness level: walk a mile. That’s right, this simple activity you...
This Diet Trick Could Protect Your Brain for LIFE
You know the saying, “You are what you eat”? Well, when it comes to your brain, it’s more accurate than you think… New research suggests that a Mediterranean diet—an ancient way of eating that prioritizes whole, nutrient-dense foods—may protect your brain’s white matter. And that’s a big deal because white matter is critical in keeping...
Mailbag: The REAL Reason You Can’t Lose Weight
“Why can’t I lose 10 pounds? I tried many versions of diets. Low Carb, intermittent fasting, etc.” Struggling to Slim Down Dear Struggling, Losing weight, especially when we’re past our 20s, can be frustrating. A muscle mass issue is most likely the culprit behind those struggles to slim down. You see, as we age, we...
Can Eating at the RIGHT Time Protect You from Diabetes?
When it comes to managing your health, when you eat may be just as important as what you eat. Now, a growing body of research shows that time-restricted eating (TRE), or intermittent fasting, may improve several markers of health… Particularly for people with metabolic syndrome. Before we dive into the benefits of time-restricted eating, let’s...