If you're not catching enough Z's, listen up! You may increase your risk of having a stroke.
That's according to a new study by the University of Alabama. It found that working adults who routinely get less than six hours of sleep a night, are four times more likely to have a stroke.
The findings are the first to link insufficient sleep to stroke. They’re also the first to apply to adults who are not overweight.
Carilion Clinic Neurologist Dr. Sidney Mallenbaum spoke to WDBJ7 about other possible causes.
He says, "Even though this new study regarding the lack of sleep and stroke is important, we also should remember the traditional risk factors for stroke which are high blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol and cigarette smoking."
Information from the study will be presented Monday at the 26th annual meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep societies in Boston.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, 30% of working adults sleep less than six hours a night.
