A recent study published in the peer-reviewed medical journal Neurology suggests that individuals experiencing symptoms of insomnia may be more prone to strokes than those who do not, especially if they are younger than 50.
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Insomnia is a sleep disorder characterized by difficulties falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up too early, resulting in insufficient restorative sleep. Approximately one-third of adults are estimated to experience insomnia symptoms, making it a prevalent issue with potential health implications.
The study
The study is based on a large research group of 31,126 participants with an average age of 61 with no history of stroke at the start of the research period.
Participants were asked how ofthen they experienced symptoms of insomnia, such as having difficulty falling asleep, unexpectitly waking up in the middle of the night, waking up too early in the morning, and difficulty going back to sleep, as well as how often they felt rested after a nigh’s sleep.
The severity of symptoms was evaluated on a scale from zero to eight, with a higher score indicating more severe symptoms. Over an average follow-up period of nine years, 2,101 stroke cases occurred among the participants.
After adjusting for factors such as alcohol use, smoking, and physical activity, the researchers discovered that individuals with one to four insomnia symptoms had a 16% higher risk of stroke compared to those without any symptoms.
Among the 19,149 people with one to four symptoms, 1,300 experienced a stroke. In contrast, among the 6,282 individuals with no symptoms, 365 had a stroke.
Those experiencing five to eight symptoms had a 51% higher risk of a stroke. Of the 5,695 participants with five to eight symptoms, 436 suffered a stroke.
People younger than 50 seem to be more affected
Notably, the link between insomnia symptoms and stroke was more pronounced in participants under the age of 50.
Among individuals in this age group, those with five to eight symptoms were nearly four times more likely to have a stroke compared to those without symptoms. Of the 458 people under 50 with five to eight symptoms, 27 had a stroke.
In comparison, from the 654 participants aged 50 and above with five to eight symptoms, 33 experienced a stroke. This may look like a small difference, but compared to those without symptoms, that is an increased risk of only 38% (this can be explained by the fact that older people have more strokes, to begin with)
Suggested article: A good night's sleep starts during the day - 10 simple tips to improve sleep quality
Why does insomnia seem to impact people under 50 more?
Dr Wendemi Sawadogo, author of the study, suggests that the variation in risk between the two age groups may be attributed to the higher incidence of stroke in older individuals.
As people age, the list of risk factors for stroke, such as high blood pressure and diabetes, tends to expand, potentially making insomnia symptoms one of multiple contributing factors. Therefore, managing insomnia symptoms at a younger age may be an effective strategy for stroke prevention.
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Limitations of the study
However, the study had certain limitations. The participants self-reported their insomnia symptoms, which can introduce inaccuracies in the information gathered.
Further research is needed to delve deeper into the connection between insomnia and strokes and explore potential approaches to mitigate stroke risk through the management of sleep problems.
Valuable insights
The results of this study provide valuable insights into the relationship between insomnia symptoms and stroke risk, highlighting the importance of addressing sleep disturbances for overall health and well-being.
According to Sawadogo, numerous therapies are available to improve sleep quality. Identifying the specific sleep problems that contribute to an increased risk of stroke may enable early interventions or behavioural therapies for individuals struggling with sleep, potentially reducing their risk of stroke in the long term.
Sources and further reading:
A good night's sleep starts during the day - 10 simple tips to improve sleep quality (Universal-Sci)
More people are experiencing sleep problems: four common causes and some advice (Universal-Sci)
The time you fall asleep may be connected with risk of developing heart conditions (Universal-Sci)
What Is Insomnia? (NIH)
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