Sleep apnea increases risk of dementia and stroke

Suffering from sleep apnea moderate or high levels of nighttime exposure can double the risks to develop cerebral micro-hemorrhages, linked to an increase of the probability of stroke or dementia in those who suffer from it. Almost always asymptomatic, micro-hemorrhages in most of the cases are not detected even for years, however they are the initial sign of vasculopathy processes that stiffens the Brain veins and blood circulation. A study longitudinal study on approximately 1,500 individuals observed in people with moderate sleep apnea for at least 8 years probability of 2.14 times higher than the norm of micro-hemorrhages. Among these participants, the incidence of stroke episodes or the development of dementia has reached the 7.25%. Published on 'Jama Network Open', the report was developed by researchers at the University of Korea in Seoul The average age of the participants at the beginning of the research was 58. years and 53% were women: 30.25% of the subjects suffered from mild sleep apnea and 13.3% moderate or advanced.