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What many people dismiss as a harmless nuisance at night or a partner prodding them to wake up may actually be an important warning sign at heart. Leading medical experts are warning that persistent, loud snoring is often the first symptom of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), with the condition now being described as a ‘cardiovascular alarm bell’ that can lead to high blood pressure, irregular heart rhythm and ultimately heart failure. Read this also Surgeon explains sleep disorder where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep
Why is snoring an alarm bell for the heart?
Dr Varun Bansal, senior consultant, Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, told HT Lifestyle that snoring is often trivialized, yet its impact on the body is profound. “Persistent, loud snoring … is strongly linked to changes in the way your heart and blood vessels work,” Dr. Bansal said.
Experts from Apollo, Aster CMI and Fortis Hospital have identified five important ways in which chronic snoring and sleep apnea harm the cardiovascular system:
1. Oxygen deficiency and heart stress
When snoring turns into sleep apnea, the airway becomes blocked, causing breathing to stop for a few seconds or a minute. This happens dozens – sometimes hundreds – of times a night. “Every time breathing stops, the oxygen level in the blood drops,” Dr. Bansal said. The brain enters a state of emergency, triggering a stress system that increases the heart rate to compensate, preventing the heart from relaxing.
2. Link to ‘stubborn’ high blood pressure
Normally, blood pressure drops at night to give the heart a rest. However, for chronic snorers, blood pressure remains elevated or increases during apnea episodes. Dr Vivek Mahajan, consultant, interventional cardiology, Fortis Hospital Kalyan, tells HT Lifestyle that many patients with ‘difficult-to-control’ hypertension discover that the root cause is actually untreated sleep apnea. Over time, this constant pressure makes the heart muscle stiffer and less functional.
3. Dangerous heart rhythm disturbances
The ‘stop-start’ nature of repeated breathing during sleep stimulates stress hormones such as adrenaline. This increases the risk of atrial fibrillation (AFib) and other irregular heartbeats. These arrhythmias reduce the heart’s pumping ability, significantly increasing the risk of stroke and congestive heart failure.
4. Inflammation and vascular damage
Dr Sunil Kumar K, principal consultant, interventional pulmonology, Aster CMI Hospital, Bengaluru, told HT Lifestyle that repeated respiratory arrests lead to systemic inflammation. This inflammation damages the lining of blood vessels and accelerates plaque formation (atherosclerosis), which can lead to heart attack and weakened heart function.
5. The ‘vicious cycle’ of metabolic stress
Snoring is hardly an isolated issue. It is closely related to abdominal obesity and diabetes. Disrupted sleep interferes with hunger hormones, leading to weight gain, which in turn increases the problem of snoring. This ‘vicious cycle’ causes damage to the heart muscle and arteries at an earlier age than expected.
Warning Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore
Although occasional snoring caused by a cold or alcohol consumption is generally not dangerous, doctors recommend medical evaluation if snoring is accompanied by the following:
⦿ Daytime fatigue or poor concentration.
⦿ Gasping for air or choking sounds during sleep.
⦿ Morning headache or dry mouth.
⦿ High blood pressure on which medicine does not have a good effect.
,Since patients are already feeling tired all the time, early warning signs of heart failure, such as breathlessness on exertion, often go unnoticed,” warns Dr Mahajan.
Good news: it can be reversed
The consensus among experts is that heart damage caused by sleep apnea is often preventable and sometimes reversible if detected early. Treatments such as CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) devices, weight management, and lifestyle changes can stabilize heart rhythms and reduce blood pressure. If you or a loved one snore for a long time, a sleep study may be the first step in protecting your heart’s future.
Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions you may have about a medical condition.
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