Not only is it an annoying habit, snoring should be seen as a ‘red flag’. New research suggests that middle age puts you at a higher risk of a heart attack.
A large study found that young adults who snore are 60 percent more likely to have a stroke, and five times more likely to develop a common heart rhythm disorder.
They are also significantly more likely to have a stroke before the age of 50, which can “devastate young families.”
Experts believe that obstructive sleep apnea between the ages of 20 and 50 may be an indication of heart problems that can lead to heart attack and stroke.
They presented their findings to the European Society of Cardiology and said the condition should not be viewed as “trivial” or “a nuisance.”
Research has found that young adults who snore are 60 percent more likely to have a stroke, and five times more likely to develop a common heart rhythm disorder (stock image)
Researchers from Stanford University, California, looked at data from 766,000 adults in the US between the ages of 20 and 50.
About 7,500 people had obstructive sleep apnea, an often undiagnosed condition in which the main symptom is loud snoring and waking up gasping for breath.
The study found that they were 60 percent more likely to have a stroke than those who were not frequent snorers, over a 10-year follow-up.
Snorers were also five times more likely to develop a condition that causes an irregular and rapid heartbeat known as atrial fibrillation, which affects 1.4 million people in the UK.
The risk was much higher than even smoking, a known risk factor for the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
Professor Sanjiv Narayan, lead author, said: ‘Sleep apnea is very common, but we kind of ignore it because we think it’s trivial or just a bit of a nuisance.
“Until now, no one has really shown the magnitude of the magnitude of the risk of heart disease. That’s what really surprised us.
He cautioned that the study was conducted among “relatively young people,” who may not know they are at risk.
He added: “If they had a stroke it would destroy young families. It could take them away from the workplace. It would destroy their lives for the next forty years.”
GPs should routinely ask patients if they snore, highlighting this as a heart health “red flag” that may indicate further medication or testing is needed, they suggest.
Sleep apnea is relatively common, affecting about one in ten adults, especially men who are older and overweight.
Obstructive sleep apnea, the most common form of the condition, occurs when the upper part of the airway around the throat closes and prevents oxygen from reaching the lungs.
Most breathing pauses last 10 to 30 seconds, but they can last about a minute or more and can occur hundreds of times during the night.
It can often be noticed by a man or woman who warns his partner that he has been snoring.
The main treatment is a device called a CPAP machine that pumps air into a mask that users wear over the mouth or nose while sleeping.
Obesity is the biggest risk factor because excess body fat enlarges most of the soft tissue in the neck, which can strain the throat muscles.
Experts believe that the repeated interruptions in breathing cause a drop in blood oxygen levels and put pressure on the heart and blood vessels.
It increases the pressure on the heart, which causes stretch in the heart chambers, which can lead to atrial fibrillation. The drop in blood oxygen levels can also put stress on the heart, they suggest.
Professor Francesco Cappuccio, chair of cardiovascular medicine at Warwick University, said the findings show the importance of people who snore heavily seeking medical advice.
He said: ‘Obstructive sleep apnea is a common chronic condition that is often underdiagnosed. Left untreated, it can lead to daytime fatigue, poor concentration, reduced performance, impaired attention and reduced quality of life.’