Loud Snoring Indicative of Increased Heart Risk

A new study by Hungarian scientists has found that people who snore loudly are at significantly higher risk of both heart disease and strokes compared to non-snorers. Findings of the study have been published in the Journal Sleep.

Snoring is the sound that emanates from the back of the throat on account of vibrations produced by air passage through the fat deposited in the back of the throat. It is an indication of the airway being partially blocked. Snoring is a condition that affects all of us at some stage in our lives. It is estimated that about 40% of adult males and 24% of adult females are habitual snorers. The condition is more common among obese and overweight people

The relationship between snoring and cardiovascular diseases such as heart attacks and strokes is not new; several previous studies have pointed to this link. The new study by researchers at the Semmelweis University in Budapest adds further credence to this knowledge.

The study team interviewed more than 12,000 patients to find out if they snored and how many of them had heart trouble. They found that heavy snorers had significantly higher risk – up to 34% more – of having a heart attack compared to the rest of the population. Similarly their chances of suffering a stroke were 67% higher than those who did not snore. The snorers were also 40% more likely to suffer from hypertension.

The researchers believe it might be possible to identify people who are at risk of heart disease by assessing their snoring levels with breathing pauses. At the same time, their study found that people, who snored but quietly, did not face any excessive risk of cardiovascular trouble.

And while snoring might be deadly for the heart, the good news is that men who cross the age of 70 tend to become non-snorers.

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