Heart diseases have been the main cause of death in the world, especially recently. However, a Harris Poll for the American Heart Association found that 51% of Americans did not know this statistic.
"Heart disease can be significantly reduced if we are able to prevent risk factors," says cardiologist Sharan Sharma. But did you know that sleep and specifically snoring can be a sign of a heart problem?
Snoring is not only an annoyance for any bed partner, but something that is also related to the heart. "Snoring can be a sign of sleep apnea," explains Dr. Sharma. "This condition is associated with various heart diseases such as atrial fibrillation, hypertension and heart constriction."
A 2024 study of more than 12,000 people published in Nature found that regular snoring increases a person's risk of uncontrolled high blood pressure. An apnea is the complete absence of airflow for at least 10 seconds. Snoring can also be a sign of a drop in airflow known as "hypopnea" that also lasts 10 or more seconds. Both have consequences that can be harmful to the heart.
"This disruption increases stress, or hormones like cortisone and adrenaline," says Leonard Pianko. "This hormonal surge increases blood pressure and heart rate and can put a constant strain on your cardiovascular system, causing a heart attack."
Is snoring always a sign of heart disease?
Doctors advise people to pay special attention to snoring as it is linked to heart disease if it is also accompanied by:
- Breathing that stops during sleep
-Excessive sleep during the day
-Difficulty concentrating
-Headache in the morning
- Sore throat after waking up
- High blood pressure
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Source: Parade
