Snoring could be a gateway to higher risk of heart disease – study

Tuesday 29th January 2013

A new study has found that snoring may increase the risk of heart disease more than if you are overweight, smoke or have high cholesterol.

Snoring is linked to increased thickening of the lining of the two blood vessels that provide the brain with oxygenated blood. It is also related to the hardening of arteries, which is responsible for many vascular and heart diseases.

The study that was conducted at the Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit reviewed the date of 913 patients who had been evaluated by the institution’s sleep centre. The study revealed changes in the carotid artery with snorers – not just sleep apnea patients – likely due to the trauma and subsequent inflammation caused by the vibrations of snoring. The results of the study adds to the growing amount of evidence that suggests that isolated snoring may not be as innocent as first suspected.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) – a sleep disorder that intermittently prevents breathing during sleep – and been linked with cardiovascular disease as well as other serious health issues. However the risk of cardiovascular disease may actually start with snoring.

From the findings of the study it is advised that snoring shouldn’t be ignored and patients need to seek treatment as they would if they had sleep apnoea or high blood pressure.

 

Tags: sleep snoring apnea heart

Category: Sleep Research

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