Skip to content 
Search

Latest Stories

Insomnia linked to increased risk of stroke in those under 50: Study

The study revealed that individuals who regularly struggled with sleep were 51% more likely to have a stroke compared to those without insomnia

Insomnia linked to increased risk of stroke in those under 50: Study

Insomnia has been found to significantly increase the risk of stroke, particularly among individuals under the age of 50, according to research.

A study conducted in the US examined 31,126 people with an average age of 61 over a period of nine years. During this time, 2,101 participants experienced a stroke, The Times reported.


The study revealed that individuals who regularly struggled with sleep were 51% more likely to have a stroke compared to those without insomnia.

Insomnia was found to increase inflammation in the body, which can lead to damage in blood vessels and subsequent strokes.

Participants in the study were questioned about their insomnia symptoms, including difficulty falling asleep, waking up during the night, waking up too early, and feeling rested in the morning.

The severity of insomnia was measured on a scale ranging from zero to eight.

It was found that those scoring between five and eight, indicating severe insomnia and difficulty sleeping most nights, had a 51% higher risk of stroke compared to those with no symptoms.

Even individuals with occasional sleep problems, scoring between one and four, had a 16% higher risk of stroke.

The impact of insomnia on stroke risk was more pronounced among individuals under the age of 50, who generally have a lower overall risk of stroke.

Participants under 50 with severe insomnia symptoms had nearly four times the stroke risk compared to those without symptoms, while this increased risk decreased to 38% in individuals over the age of 50.

Dr Wendemi Sawadogo, the lead author of the research conducted by Virginia Commonwealth University and published in the journal Neurology, highlighted the importance of managing insomnia symptoms, particularly at a younger age, for stroke prevention.

The study suggests that earlier interventions, such as cognitive behavioural therapy, could help reduce the risk of stroke associated with insomnia.

The findings also emphasise the need for wider availability of therapies and behavioural treatments to improve sleep quality.

It is important to note that the study was observational, so it cannot establish a cause-and-effect relationship. However, the results considered other factors that could influence stroke risk, such as alcohol consumption, smoking, and exercise levels.

Previous research has also demonstrated the significant impact of sleep on heart attack and stroke risk, with insomnia being linked to conditions like type 2 diabetes and depression.

Insomnia is believed to contribute to inflammation, high blood pressure, and increased stress hormone levels, which can lead to long-term heart damage and a weakened immune system.

The findings from this study contribute to the growing body of evidence highlighting the association between insomnia and stroke risk.

Experts recommend individuals with sleep problems to consult their healthcare providers to discuss potential stroke risk factors and management strategies.

Lifestyle changes, including maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, reducing caffeine and alcohol intake, and practicing relaxation techniques, may also help improve sleep quality and reduce the risk of stroke.

More For You

Ping Pong restaurant chain shuts all UK branches

The chain had also gained a following for its themed brunches

iStock

Ping Pong restaurant chain shuts all UK branches after 20 years

Key points

  • Chinese dim sum restaurant Ping Pong has closed all its UK locations
  • The chain made the announcement via social media
  • Founded in 2005, the brand thanked customers and staff for their support
  • Loyal diners shared memories and disappointment in the comments

All branches are permanently closed

Chinese restaurant chain Ping Pong has permanently closed all its branches in the UK, the company confirmed in a social media announcement.

Founded in 2005 by restaurateur Kurt Zdesar, the dim sum chain had become popular for its stylish interiors, creative menus, and Asian-inspired cocktails. The company did not provide prior notice of the closure but said the decision marked the end of an “unforgettable” 20-year journey.

Keep ReadingShow less
New Covid strain

Experts have raised concerns about the immune-evasive nature of the Stratus strain

iStock

New Covid strain Stratus spreads in UK with unusual hoarse voice symptom

Key points

  • A new Covid strain known as Stratus is spreading across the UK
  • The variant is marked by a distinctive symptom: a hoarse or raspy voice
  • Sub-variants XFG and XFG.3 now account for 30% of cases in England
  • Experts say there is no evidence of more severe disease
  • Lower immunity levels may make more people vulnerable to infection

Covid variant Stratus on the rise in the UK

A new strain of Covid-19, known as Stratus, is spreading across the UK and drawing attention for its unusual symptom — a hoarse or raspy voice. According to data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), Stratus and its two sub-variants, XFG and XFG.3, are responsible for around 30 per cent of Covid cases in England.

Of the two, XFG.3 is currently the more dominant. The UKHSA confirmed that monitoring of all circulating Covid-19 variants is ongoing as part of regular surveillance.

Keep ReadingShow less
Kent County Show 2025

Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, who grew up in Brenchley

Getty Images

Kent County Show opens with royal visit from Duchess of Edinburgh

Key points:

  • Day one of the Kent County Show begins at Detling Showground near Maidstone
  • The Duchess of Edinburgh visits the event for the first time in 16 years
  • Organisers expect up to 70,000 visitors over the weekend
  • Farming and rural life are at the centre of the three-day programme
  • Highlights include live camel racing, equine sports, livestock displays and more

Kent County Show opens with royal visit

The Kent County Show returned to Detling near Maidstone on Friday, marking the start of a major three-day celebration of farming, food, and rural living. The event opened with a special visit from the Duchess of Edinburgh, who is attending for the first time in 16 years.

Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, who grew up in Brenchley near Tunbridge Wells and serves as patron of the Association of Show and Agricultural Organisations (ASAO), met with farmers, equine exhibitors, and local businesses on her tour of the showground.

Keep ReadingShow less
Sri Aurobindo

Heehs’s biography is grounded in extensive archival research across France, England, India and Israel

AMG

Sri Aurobindo and the rise of the Asian century

Dinesh Sharma

My friend and colleague, the American historian Peter Heehs, who has lived in Pondicherry, India, for decades, recently published a compelling new biography, The Mother: A Life of Sri Aurobindo’s Collaborator (2025). Heehs previously authored The Lives of Sri Aurobindo (2008), which remains one of the most balanced and scholarly accounts of Aurobindo’s life.

According to Heehs, most previous biographies of the Mother were written for devotees and relied on secondary sources, often presenting her as a divine incarnation without critical engagement. “Such biographies are fine for those who see the Mother as a divine being,” Heehs said, “but they can be off-putting for readers who simply want to understand her life – as an artist, writer, spiritual teacher, and founder of the Ashram and Auroville.”

Keep ReadingShow less
Black women cancer risk

Serious public health challenges in the decades ahead

iStock

Study warns of rising uterine cancer rates, with Black women hardest hit

Key points

  • Uterine cancer cases and deaths are projected to rise significantly in the US by 2050.
  • Black women are expected to experience the highest increase in incidence-based mortality.
  • A new model predicts incidence rising to 86.9 cases per 100,000 for Black women and 74.2 for White women.
  • Researchers stress the urgent need for improved prevention and early detection strategies.

Sharp increase in uterine cancer predicted over next three decades

Uterine cancer, currently the fourth most commonly diagnosed cancer among women in the United States, is projected to see a substantial rise in both cases and deaths by 2050, particularly among Black women. A new study led by researchers at Columbia University warns of worsening racial disparities in outcomes if preventative measures are not introduced.

This year alone, around 69,120 new cases of uterine cancer and nearly 14,000 deaths are expected in the United States. However, projections by the Columbia University research team, published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, indicate a significant increase in both incidence and mortality over the next 30 years.

Keep ReadingShow less