ABSTRACT

Ischemic stroke appears the third leading cause of mortality and the first cause of disability in developing countries. The relationship between sleep disorders and cerebrovascular risk factors is well defined and there are different mechanisms in pathophysiology. Ischemic stroke affects many pathways, such as hypoxia, increased wakefulness reactions, decreased sleep quality, increased free oxygen radicals, inflammatory mechanisms activation, endothelial dysfunction, atherosclerosis, hypertension, and insulin resistance. Sleep disturbances contribute to stroke pathology through multiple direct or indirect mechanisms. Due to the fact that sleep disorders are among the changeable cerebrovascular risk factors, it is very important to raise awareness about the diagnosis, management and prevention of sleep disorders.

Keywords: Stroke, sleep disorders, physiopathology