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 evidence that insomnia may be linked to health risks beyond poor sleep and impaired daytime functioning. Insomnia may do more than leave you tired. A review published in Sleep Medicine Reviews on September 7 has linked it to a higher risk of stroke, depression, and hospitalization. Insomnia is characterized by difficulty falling or staying asleep despite having an adequate opportunity to sleep and typically involves impaired daytime functioning. “Sleep is such an important health factor when we think about overall well-being,” Joseph You, MD, cardiologist with Manhattan Cardiology in NYC, who wasn’t involved in the study, told Healthline. He noted that sleep deprivation and poor-quality sleep have long been linked to adverse cardiovascular events and other health problems. Insomnia linked to 26% …

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