Since they occur during sleep, sleep strokes can delay the start of critical treatment, potentially making them more severe than other types of strokes.

A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is blocked by a clot or when a blood vessel in the brain bursts or leaks. If a stroke takes place while you’re asleep, it’s called a “wake-up stroke.”

In the sections ahead, we’ll cover the key facts about sleep strokes

How do I know if I had a stroke in my sleep?

As someone has a stroke in their sleep, the neurological symptoms of a stroke appear after waking up. Some of these immediate symptoms may include:

– numbness or paralysis on one side of the body, especially in the arm, leg, or face
– difficulty speaking or slurred speech
– trouble understanding others
– confusion or disorientation
– blackened, blurred, or double vision
– trouble walking or loss of balance
– severe and sudden headache
– nausea, vomiting, or dizziness
– seizures or loss of consciousness

Another way to tell if someone might have had a stroke is by using the “FAST” method, which refers to the symptoms of face drooping, arm weakness, speech difficulty, and the emphasis on “time” or getting help as quickly as possible.

Can you prevent a stroke while sleeping?

Your habits before bed can significantly influence your sleep stroke risk, especially over time.

Nighttime is when blood pressure drops and your body resets, so taking care of your cardiovascular system in the evening is very crucial.

What You Shouldn’t Do Before Bed (Sleep Stroke Risk Factors):

1. Don’t Eat a Heavy or Salty Meal Late at Night

Large meals or salty snacks raise blood pressure and worsen sleep.

Try to finish eating 2–3 hours before bed.

2. Limit Alcohol and Smoking

Alcohol increases blood pressure during sleep.

Smoking increases clot risk and damages blood vessels.