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Study: Lack Of Sleep Increases Stroke Risk

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) - Doctors often tell us to get more sleep, and now there's another good reason to heed their advice.

A new study shows that getting too little sleep can put older and middle aged people at risk for stroke.

The study shows people over 45 who regularly sleep less than six hours at a time are at a higher risk of developing stroke symptoms. These symptoms can include a sudden numbness in the body, or a loss of vision.

Megan Ruiter, author of the study, says adequate sleep can get lost in the shuffle of our hectic lives.

"We live in such a 24-hour culture, and the emphasis is on improving your diet, getting more exercise. But we also forget the last thing which is get some good sleep as well," said Ruiter.

Researchers are planning to watch the study group for another five years. They want to see if people go beyond the symptoms and suffer actual strokes.

Doctors recommend seven or eight hours of sleep a night.

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