Abstract Background and aims Sleep patterns and circadian habits may influence vascular risk; however, data in patients with ischemic stroke remain limited. This study describes sleep habits and lifestyle patterns prior to an ischemic stroke. Methods Descriptive study of patients with diagnosis of ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack at a tertiary hospital between June 2024 and October 2025. Sociodemographic, clinical, and daily habit–related variables were collected. Results A total of 83 patients were analyzed (mean age: 64.2 years; 64% male). Main diagnosis was ischemic stroke (80.2%), mean NIHSS of 3.7 and 93.5% mRS 2. No acute reperfusion therapy in 80.7%. Antidepressant use was reported in 88%. Mean nocturnal sleep duration 8.6 ± 3.5 hours, with prolonged sleep latency (2.0 ± 1.0 hours) and mean Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index score of 8.2 ± 4.1. According to the Munich Chronotype Questionnaire, 45% were morning types, 50% intermediate, and 5% evening types. Weekday napping was reported by 61% and weekend napping by 68% (mean duration 54 ± 51 minutes). Average times: bedtime 23:16, wake-up 7:50, breakfast 8:50, lunch 14:16, and dinner 20:53. Nocturnal awakenings were reported by 34%, while 66% perceived their sleep as restorative. Regular physical exercise was performed by 49.3%, predominantly in the morning (70.2%). Conclusions Patients predominantly exhibited morning or intermediate chronotypes, regular sleep and meal schedules, but impaired sleep quality, prolonged sleep latency, and frequent, prolonged naps with common nocturnal awakenings. Future studies should assess chronobiology and sleep habits as potentially modifiable factors in primary and secondary stroke prevention. Conflict of interest nothing to disclose
Galián et al. (Fri,) studied this question.