Review ties insomnia to elevated stroke and hospitalization risks
A review in Sleep Medicine Reviews found that people with insomnia had a 26% higher risk of stroke and 28% higher odds of hospital admission. The analysis also linked insomnia to depression, suicidal behaviors, and evidence suggesting a connection with dementia, especially Alzheimer's disease. Researchers argue insomnia should be treated as a warning sign for brain and mental health.
The review, published in Sleep Medicine Reviews, examined seven outcomes and pooled data from systematic reviews plus three new reviews. For stroke, six of nine studies entered meta-analysis, covering over 1.3 million people; insomnia was tied to a 26% greater stroke risk. Hospitalization findings from three of five studies showed 28% higher odds of admission for any cause.
Earlier estimates suggest diagnostically defined insomnia affects roughly 22% of the general population. The authors caution that insomnia definitions varied and sleep medication use was rarely considered, so links are associations, not proof of causation. They call for sleep to be included in brain-health discussions and wellness initiatives.
If these associations reflect causal pathways, recognizing insomnia earlier could prompt clinicians to assess sleep alongside brain and mental health, potentially benefiting people with chronic sleeplessness and their families. Wider screening may increase demand for sleep services and workplace health programs, while also reducing avoidable hospital use if risks are addressed. However, because the evidence is observational, societal benefits remain uncertain and should not be overstated.