Recent studies focusing on sleep habits have suggested that snoring may increase the risk of dangerous diseases. According to scientists, this phenomenon may signal that you are suffering from a condition called obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). , however, research has shown that it’s not just whether you have the disease that matters. You should also pay attention to how much its severity changes.
- Obstructive sleep apnea affects nearly a billion people worldwide.
- Scientists have found that large fluctuations in breathing during the night increase the risk of heart attack and stroke.
- Another study suggested that more severe sleep apnea accelerates the aging of blood vessels.
Affecting nearly a billion people worldwide, obstructive sleep apnea is the most common form of sleep apnea.. It causes the walls of the throat to relax and narrow or close completely for a few seconds during sleep, leading to interrupted breathing and loud snoring.
Experts stress that not everyone who snores has OSA, but the two often go hand in hand. It’s hard to tell if you have this disease on your own, so testing is usually done using devices that measure your breathing and heart rate while you sleep.
Sleep apnea is often associated with snoring. (illustrative photo)
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Study in doing so, it revealed that large fluctuations in breathing problems during the night are associated with a higher risk of serious heart disease. The researchers analyzed the sleep data of more than 3,000 adults who monitored their breathing at home using a sensor under the mattress.
Lead author Dr Bastien Lechat confirmed that people whose symptoms changed frequently were about a third more likely to have a heart attack, stroke or heart failure. This was true even in cases where the sleep apnea had only a mild course.
Sleep apnea can damage the heart and lead to a heart attack. (illustrative photo)
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The second large international study, by researchers, followed nearly 30,000 people over several years using home digital health devices. The team found that more severe sleep apnea and persistent snoring were associated with faster aging of blood vessels. This represents an early warning against the development of cardiovascular diseases.
Dr. Lucia Pinilla, who led the research, noted that both studies show the importance of repeated sleep monitoring. “Testing should be seen as a dynamic process. Understanding sleep habits can help doctors better determine who needs early intervention“, she stated.
According to the researchers, the studies do not prove that OSA variability directly causes heart disease. But they explained that their findings point to the need for more in-depth studies. “If you snore or don’t feel rested after sleeping, talking to your doctor can help uncover hidden risks for your heart,” concluded Dr. Lechat.
