[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
Ease Anxiety with THIS Belly Hack
I’m always encouraging patients to focus on their gastrointestinal health. It’s often overlooked—and well-balanced belly bugs are vital for overall good health. So I’m not surprised that I’ve seen a lot of folks lately who have told me that working on their gut balance has been absolutely LIFE-CHANGING. But it’s NOT in the way you’re...
Is Fish Oil Enough? (What You Might be Missing Out On)
I love talking about the active elements in foods because it highlights the powerful health benefits of those individual ingredients. Take fish oil, for instance. If you search the Living Well Daily archives, you’d likely find THOUSANDS of references to this golden fish extract. Fish oil contains the essential fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and...
The STUNNING Truth About Back Pain
“I feel like I can barely do anything anymore because of my back pain. I’m always taking pain meds. What else can help?” – Ed, Huntsville, AL Hi Ed, Brace yourself. What I’m about to tell you about back pain will no doubt come as a surprise. It might even seem downright unbelievable at first....
FILTHY FACTS About Your Cell Phone
Taking a trip to the bathroom used to be a break from the chaos of daily life. It’s likely at least partially responsible for the nickname restroom. After all, there wasn’t much to do in that room unless you had a magazine to read. But nowadays, for many of us, the restroom is anything BUT...
EAR Test Protects Your BRAIN?
Hearing loss has a habit of sneaking up on folks. Typically, it happens so slowly that you don’t notice it until you’ve lost a SIGNIFICANT amount of hearing. According to the National Institutes of Health, about 8 percent of adults 55 to 64 have disabling hearing loss. That number jumps to 25 percent for people...
Missing "Lucky Penny" Mineral Harms Your Heart
Dear Living Well Daily Reader, Some nutrients get all the glory. There are the vitamin A-Listers like C, D, and E. And although minerals like calcium, potassium, and magnesium might be considered B-List stars, they ALSO get their fair share of attention. But one vital nutrient never gets to walk the red carpet. And that...
Risk of Stroke SURGES 50% Worldwide?!
It’s NOT good news. A recent report by the World Health Organization (WHO), confirmed that the chance of having a stroke has skyrocketed by a whopping 50 percent in the last twenty years. According to the WHO, that means your stroke risk is now about one in four. Next time you’re in a crowd, look...
Is Tofu GOOD for You? (The Truth REVEALED)
I often wonder why so many people are passionate about tofu. There’s something about it that triggers strong emotions. Some folks HATE it, while others LOVE it. But is it good for you? Well, it’s complicated. Tofu is a fermented soy product. It tastes bland alone. But it takes on the taste of whatever you...
Bizarre New Cell Phone Risk (Beware)
I sometimes joke with my (adult) kids. “Do you know,” I ask, “that the PHONE you carry around with you all the time can make phone calls?” They laugh and mumble, “Old,” under their breath. I swear the generations who grew up with a cell phone attached to their palm will do almost anything to...
MAILBAG: Crush COPD Symptoms NATURALLY
“Got any natural treatments for COPD?” – Mike, Ann Arbor, MI Dear Mike, Unfortunately, COPD, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, is a common condition. In fact, it’s now the third leading cause of death in the United States. COPD causes the airways to constrict, making breathing difficult or uncomfortable. Persistent coughing, excess mucus production, wheezing,...