Insomnia Isn’t Just Exhausting — It May Raise Your Risk of Stroke, Dementia
Recent research has found that chronic insomnia may increase the risk of stroke, dementia, and depression. ljubaphoto · E+/Getty A recent review has found that insomnia may be associated with an increased risk of stroke and hospitalization. The researchers also found evidence of an association between insomnia and depression, suicidal behaviors, and dementia. These findings add to growing…
Chronic insomnia, a condition characterized by difficulty falling or staying asleep, may be linked to a higher risk of stroke, hospitalization, depression, and dementia, according to a recent review published in Sleep Medicine Reviews. The study, which analyzed nine studies involving over 1.3 million people, found that insomnia was associated with a 26% higher risk of stroke.
Researchers suggest that persistent sleep disruptions can trigger overactivation of the sympathetic nervous system, leading to higher adrenaline, cortisol levels, and increased blood pressure, blood sugar, and inflammation—all of which could contribute to a higher risk of stroke. Additionally, insomnia may increase the likelihood of hospitalization by 28%, and is consistently linked to a higher risk of depression, suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, and suicide death in various meta-analyses.
While the exact cause-and-effect relationship between insomnia and these health conditions remains unclear, the review emphasizes the importance of addressing sleep difficulties as part of overall health management.
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