Insomnia Symptoms Revealed as Independent Risk Factor for Stroke, According to Groundbreaking Study
nsomnia, a persistent sleep disturbance, continues to plague a significant portion of the population, with chronic insomnia affecting approximately 30% of individuals, as reported by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. This condition poses several challenges, including an elevated risk of accidents, high rates of work absenteeism, decreased concentration, and diminished quality of life. Moreover, it is associated with mental health conditions, with studies revealing a strong correlation between insomnia and clinically significant depression and anxiety.
However, the impact of insomnia extends beyond mental health, as sleep deficiency has been linked to numerous chronic health problems, such as heart disease, kidney disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke, and obesity, according to the National Institutes of Health. Adding to this growing body of evidence, a new study published in the medical journal Neurology, from the American Academy of Neurology, provides further confirmation of the association between insomnia and stroke.
By analyzing data from the Health and Retirement Study conducted between 2002 and 2020 in the United States, researchers investigated the insomnia symptoms of over 31,000 participants aged 50 and above. The adapted Brief Insomnia Questionnaire (BIQ) was utilized to assess self-reported sleep complaints, covering aspects like difficulty falling asleep, waking up during the night, early awakening without being able to return to sleep, and feeling unrested in the morning. Notably, the study found consistent insomnia symptoms among the participants.
During a follow-up period of up to 19 years, strokes were recorded through interviews conducted every second year. After accounting for other stroke risk factors, including alcohol use, smoking, and physical activity levels, the researchers identified a clear relationship between insomnia symptoms and stroke risk. Those reporting the highest number of insomnia symptoms had a 51% greater risk of stroke compared to those without such symptoms. Additionally, the link between insomnia and stroke was particularly strong in individuals under the age of 50, with a four-fold increase in stroke risk for those with significant insomnia symptoms.
Dr. Wendemi Sawadogo, the lead author of the study, highlighted the age-related aspect, stating that younger individuals experienced more insomnia symptoms than older individuals. As individuals age, other risk factors for stroke, such as hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease, may overshadow the influence of insomnia symptoms. This observation was echoed by Dr. Adi Iyer, a neurosurgeon and interventional neuroradiologist at Pacific Neuroscience Institute, who emphasized that the impact of poor sleep on stroke risk diminishes with age due to the prominence of other health conditions in the elderly.
Although the study does not establish causation between insomnia and stroke, it underscores an independent association between the two. The authors acknowledge that self-reporting of insomnia symptoms was a limitation of the study. Nonetheless, sleep deprivation has been linked to endocrine and metabolic dysregulation, which are known risk factors for stroke, including diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure.
In light of these findings, Dr. Sawadogo urges individuals to recognize the potential adverse health outcomes associated with poor sleep and to consult healthcare providers regarding any sleep-related concerns. For those experiencing insomnia, establishing a regular sleep routine, avoiding screens before bedtime, maintaining a healthy diet, engaging in relaxing activities before sleep, and ensuring a conducive sleep environment are recommended. Seeking professional help is advised when self-treatment does not improve sleep quality, particularly as optimized sleep patterns can reduce stroke risk, especially in young patients, according to Dr. Iyer. Sleep disorders should be approached with the same seriousness as other significant health conditions, as they have long-term implications for overall health.
