Can long-term insomnia throughout the night lead to sudden death?
In general, long-term all-night insomnia may increase the risk of sudden death. If experiencing any discomfort, it is recommended to seek medical attention promptly. Detailed analysis is as follows:
Long-term all-night insomnia can have significant adverse effects on both physical and mental health. Sleep deprivation keeps the body and brain in a state of prolonged fatigue, potentially leading to dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system. This may result in various cardiovascular problems, such as elevated blood pressure, increased heart rate, and excessive cardiac workload. If these issues persist, they may raise the likelihood of cardiac diseases such as arrhythmia, and severe arrhythmia is a major contributing factor to sudden death.
For individuals who already have heart disease, long-term all-night insomnia could further increase the risks of myocardial infarction and arrhythmia, thereby indirectly raising the possibility of sudden death. In elderly individuals, whose physical functions have declined, chronic insomnia may also accelerate cognitive decline and increase the risks of falls and other accidental injuries, thus indirectly affecting life expectancy.
It is advisable to maintain a regular lifestyle and create a favorable sleep environment to help improve sleep quality.