People with insomnia may have an increased risk of suffering a stroke, a new study suggests.

Insomnia is a sleep disorder which results in people constantly having difficulties falling asleep or staying asleep.

Scientists in Taiwan analysed the health records of over 21,000 people with insomnia and 64,000 without the disorder, and found that over a four-year period, people with insomnia were 54% more likely to be hospitalised with a stroke.

The risk appeared to be even greater if a person suffered with insomnia as a young adult. Those with the sleep disorder who were aged between 18 and 34, were eight times more likely to suffer a stroke. After the age of 35, this risk began to decrease.

"We feel strongly that individuals with chronic insomnia, particularly younger persons, see their physician to have stroke risk factors assessed and, when indicated, treated appropriately. Our findings highlight the clinical importance of screening for insomnia at younger ages. Treating insomnia is also very important, whether by medication or cognitive therapy," the scientists said.

They pointed out that it is unclear why insomnia appears to increase the risk of a stroke, but noted that research indicates that the sleep disorder can affect heart health, for example, it can lead to increased blood pressure and inflammation in the body.

"Individuals should not simply accept insomnia as a benign, although difficult, condition that carries no major health risks. They should seek medical evaluation of other possible risk factors that might contribute to stroke," they added.

Details of these findings are published in the journal Stroke.