Insomnia May Raise Your Risk of Stroke, New Study Finds
Prevention • • health
Key Points:
- A review of data from 1.3 million participants found that people with insomnia have a 26% higher risk of stroke and a 28% higher risk of hospitalization for any cause, highlighting a significant health concern linked to sleep disruption.
- Insomnia may increase stroke risk by contributing to inflammation, blood clotting, elevated cortisol levels, high blood pressure, and metabolic issues such as weight gain, diabetes, and high cholesterol.
- The relationship between insomnia and stroke is complex and bidirectional, with poor sleep potentially leading to cardiovascular problems and those predisposed to stroke also experiencing sleep disturbances.
- Effective treatments for insomnia include improving sleep hygiene, medications, and cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I), which addresses underlying beliefs and behaviors that worsen sleep quality.
- Experts recommend consulting a healthcare provider or sleep specialist if insomnia persists despite self-care efforts, as early intervention can better manage both sleep issues and reduce cardiovascular risk.
