Review Finds Insomnia Raises Stroke Risk by 26%

Insomnia is the most prevalent sleep disorder, affecting approximately 10% of adults, with an additional 20% experiencing occasional symptoms. Chronic insomnia is diagnosed when sleep issues occur at least three nights per week and impair daily functioning for three or more months. Treatment options include cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) and medications.

The researchers performed an umbrella systematic review, scouring MEDLINE and EMBASE databases. They found that insomnia is associated with a 26% increased relative hazard for stroke after analyzing nine studies that included over 1.3 million participants. Additionally, the review indicated a 28% higher likelihood of hospital admission for any reason among those with insomnia. Nonetheless, no connection between insomnia and mortality was identified.

Despite the findings, the authors emphasized caution in interpreting the results as evidence of causation. Differences in definitions of insomnia across studies and other variables, such as the use of sleep medications, may have influenced outcomes.

Christopher Yi, MD, a vascular surgeon not involved in the study, noted that chronic insomnia could indicate long-term cardiovascular health risks, potentially leading to increased stress and inflammation over time. He urged that insomnia should be considered a significant health issue rather than merely a sleep problem.

Jagdish Khubchandani, PhD, also not affiliated with the review, pointed out that the relative risk suggests individuals with insomnia are 1.26 times more likely to suffer a stroke compared to those without it. He recommended using chronic insomnia as a platform for broader health assessments, particularly concerning cardiovascular and metabolic conditions.