Insomnia May Raise Ischemic Stroke Risk

Systematic review found stronger stroke associations when insomnia was clinically diagnosed

By
Andrea Surnit
April 28, 2026
3 min

Conexiant

Overview

Revise to clarify the inconsistency in overall stroke risk and specify the types of studies included.

Background

Insomnia is a prevalent sleep disorder that significantly impacts health and quality of life. It has been linked to various cardiovascular diseases, making understanding its relationship with stroke risk crucial for public health. This study highlights the need for further investigation into the effects of insomnia on cerebrovascular events.

Data Highlights

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Key Findings

Insomnia symptoms are associated with a 7% increased likelihood of ischemic stroke.
No significant association was found between insomnia symptoms and overall stroke risk.
Diagnosed insomnia is linked to a 45% greater likelihood of ischemic stroke.
Mendelian randomization analyses suggested a small association between insomnia symptoms and ischemic stroke.
High heterogeneity was noted across studies regarding insomnia definitions and methodologies.
Future studies should utilize objective sleep measures and include diverse populations to clarify these associations.

Clinical Implications

Suggest specific interventions or assessments for clinicians regarding insomnia.

Conclusion

The findings underscore the need for further research to better understand the relationship between insomnia and stroke risk, particularly in diverse populations and using objective measures of sleep.