Restless Leg Syndrome May Increase The Risk Of Stroke

Restless leg syndrome may be linked to an increased risk of stroke, based on the severity of the neurological condition, according to recent findings published in the journal Sleep.

After accounting for other factors, including age, smoking, hypertension and unhealthy diet, researchers noted 161 incident stroke cases during a six-year follow-up related to the neurological disorder that results in a creeping and pulling of the legs. Furthermore, previous studies have also linked restless legs syndrome to twice the risk of stroke and heart disease when compared to those without the disorder.

For the study, researchers collected and analyzed data on 73,000 female registered nurses between the ages of 41 and 58 years old in 2005 that was based on the International RLS Study Group criteria. During the study period, participants were all free of diabetes, stroke and pregnancy.

Researchers found that the severity of the health issue really made a difference in connection to stroke.

"We were surprised at the importance of taking into account [restless leg syndrome] severity -- it was only severe [restless leg syndrome], not milder [restless leg syndrome], that was associated with increased risk of stroke," Xiang Gao, principal investigator and senior author of the study, said in a statement.

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