The Journal of the American Heart Association just published a study on modifiable lifestyle and risk factors for brain aneurysm rupture. In looking at the results of numerous other studies, thousands of patient data was included.
As known for years, the greatest risk for aneurysm rupture is smoking and high blood pressure. Tobacco smoke contains nicotine and substances that promote weakness in the blood vessel walls. Hypertension causes elevated pressure within the aneurysm promoting rupture. Not surprisingly, physical fitness may lower the risk of hemorrhage.
Although previously suggested in other observational studies, it appears that sleep deprivation, insomnia, or sleep apnea, poses an increased risk of aneurysm rupture. In fact, insomnia is associated with a 24% increased risk. Exactly what mechanism links sleep deprivation to bleeding is unclear.
If it wasn’t anxiety-provoking enough to be diagnosed with an aneurysm, highlighting the risks of insomnia may not promote dozing off easily. But if help is needed, other research suggests that visualizing a tranquil scene may promote sleep. Keeping good sleep hygiene by avoiding electronics two hours before bedtime, maintaining darkness, and going to bed when sleepy (brain exhausted) and not just tired (body exhausted) is beneficial. Counting sheep actually delays snoozing.
We haven’t researched enough whether reading RMBSI blogs is tranquilizing, but some readers have suggested such… Looks like we can treat your aneurysm surgically and through lackluster writing.
References
Karhunen V et al. Modifiable risk factors of intracranial aneurysm and aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: a Mendelian randomization study.. 2021
