NIGHTMARES LINKED TO PREMATURE DEATH

People who suffer nightmares have been found to be three times more likely to die before age 75 than those who don't.

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Researchers combined data from four large long-term US studies - following more than 4,000 people aged 26-74. In the 18-year study, 227 people died prematurely. Even after considering risk factors like age, sex, mental health, smoking and weight, those who had nightmares every week were found to be nearly three times more likely to die prematurely - about the same risk as heavy smoking.