How Snoring May Be Hurting Your Heart

Snoring is not thought of as more than a nighttime noise and is often joked about and dismissed. But, there might be more happening beyond the simple sound. Snoring can be a signal of airflow resistance in sleep, and it can be linked to changes in breathing patterns that change oxygen levels and the heart’s function throughout the night in some people. 

Understanding how to stop snoring, why it happens, and how it can become a health concern, can make the difference in the well-being of the snoring individual. In this blog, we will look at snoring in detail, with its reasons and remedies. 

What Is Snoring and Why Do People Snore?

Snoring usually happens when the air cannot flow freely throughout the airway when asleep, causing the surrounding tissues to vibrate and produce a rumbling sound. Occasional and random snoring can happen to almost anyone at some point, but daily snoring can be the reason for something serious. Common reasons for snoring include: 

• Tightened airways due to anatomy or swelling
• Relaxation of throat muscles when asleep
• Sleeping position (especially sleeping on the back)
• Nasal congestion or allergies
• Being overweight, which increases soft tissue around the airway
• Alcohol consumption close to bedtime, which relaxes the throat muscles

These factors make it easier to understand why some people snore, and it can be due to late-night drinking or simply recovering from a cold.

When Snoring Is More Than Just Noise

Occasional snoring due to tiredness, nasal congestion, or sleeping position is usually not a concern. However, persistent snoring is often linked to obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a condition where the airway repeatedly collapses during sleep. These repeated breathing pauses force the body to wake up briefly to restore airflow, often without you realizing it.

Snoring and the Heart: What’s the Connection?

If there is a disturbance in breathing when asleep, then there is a connection between snoring and heart health that’s basically guaranteed. When snoring happens due to obstructed airflow, oxygen levels can temporarily drop when asleep, and over time, this can strain the cardiovascular system. 

Research from international health bodies such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has noted that chronic snoring and sleep-disordered breathing are associated with increased risks of:

• Increased blood pressure
• Irregular heartbeat
• Changes in heart structure
• Cardiovascular strain during sleep

This alone does not mean snoring and heart issues are related, but continuous snoring can be an indicator of underlying sleep issues when combined with daytime fatigue, morning headaches and noticeable pauses when breathing. 

Read More: Snoring: 10 Quick Hacks to Reduce It

Snoring Treatment and Management Approaches

Snoring treatments differ, and the approach depends on the cause and for many, conservative strategies can make a difference, including: 

• Adjusting sleep posture (side-sleeping instead of back-sleeping) 
• Reducing nasal congestion through steam inhalation and other methods 
• Using supportive pillows to elevate the head to avoid obstructing the airway
• Weight management, where applicable

Other helpful approaches include:

• Maintaining a comfortable sleep environment
• Practising good sleep routines (consistent sleep schedule, reduced late-night meals)
• Minimising alcohol and smoking before bedtime
• Increasing physical activity to support respiratory strength even while asleep 
• Sleeping on the side using body pillows for support

Note: The information provided above is intended to be educational and is not medical advice. Reach out to a medical professional to get an accurate diagnosis and treatment. 

When to Seek Professional Evaluation

It is ideal to consult a clinician if snoring is:

• Continuous 
• Increasing in loudness 
• Combined with daytime tiredness
• Associated with observed breathing pauses
• Accompanied by cardiovascular concerns

Since snoring can be connected to sleep-disordered breathing, addressing it early may support both sleep and heart health outcomes.

Source: NIH

Conclusion

Snoring may appear harmless, but for some individuals, it shows the underlying issues under the guise of a nighttime noise. It can be a sign of disrupted airflow and might place extra strain on the heart over time. 

Lifestyle adjustments, such as light meals for dinner and timely sleep routines with support for the back and sides of the body, are required and can make a difference in snoring. 

Frequently Asked Questions Related to Snoring