Large Review Links Chronic Insomnia to Higher Risks of Stroke, Dementia and Hospitalization

An extensive systematic review published in Sleep Medicine Reviews examined data from more than 1.3 million participants across Europe and found that chronic insomnia is linked to a 26 % higher likelihood of stroke and a 28 % greater chance of being hospitalized for any reason. Additional associations were observed with dementia, depression and suicidal behavior. Researchers suggest that shared risk factors such as elevated blood pressure, stress and unhealthy lifestyles may drive the connection to stroke, while disrupted sleep may hinder the brain’s clearance of proteins linked to Alzheimer’s disease.

Mental-health impacts are thought to arise because poor sleep impairs emotional regulation and can amplify worry. The authors note that the evidence does not establish direct causality and that accounting for sleep-medication use sometimes reduces the observed risks. Nonetheless, they stress that chronic insomnia is treatable, recommending sleep-hygiene practices, regular wake-times, limited napping, and evidence-based therapies like CBT-I.