The role of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome as a cause of stroke

Abstract

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is a highly prevalent sleep disorder. Stroke is the second leading cause of death and the third leading cause of disability in the world. OSAS and stroke has common risk factors, are associated with each other and are both reported to play an important role in the etiology of each other. OSAS and stroke association was identified in our two cases in whom sleep-related respiratory problems were encountered before stroke. We would like to draw attention to the importance of OSAS being among the risk factors in the etiopathogenesis of stroke.