Study: Daylight Savings Time increases risk of stroke

A study from researchers at Turku University Hospital reveals the hour lost when springing forward during daylight savings time weekend, leads to an increased risk of stroke.

The study investigated 3,000 patients, over the span of a decade, who had been hospitalized for an ischemic stroke during the week following a daylight saving transition. Some 12,000 others who suffered a stroke in the two weeks before or after a time transition.

Experts at St. Mary-Corwin in Pueblo told KRDO NewsChannel 13 Wednesday that they urge patients to be stroke aware as we leap into spring.

Researchers found that the incidence of stroke was 8 percent higher during the first two days after a daylight saving transition.

It’s believed the increased risk is due to the loss of sleep as well as other factors including, stress lack of exercise and unhealthy eating.

Doctors involved in the study are scheduled to present the findings in April at the American Academy of Neurology’s annual meeting in Vancouver, Canada.