Persistent, loud snoring is often dismissed as a harmless nighttime habit, but it can be a warning sign of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a condition that puts the heart under constant stress. According to leading medical experts, OSA can lead to high blood pressure, irregular heart rhythms, and eventually, heart failure. Dr. Varun Bansal, a senior consultant at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, states that snoring is frequently trivialized, yet its impact on the body is profound, and is strongly linked with changes in the way the heart and blood vessels work.
Experts have identified five critical ways that chronic snoring and sleep apnea damage the cardiovascular system:
- Oxygen deprivation and heart stress: When snoring transitions into sleep apnea, the airway becomes blocked, causing breathing to stop for seconds or even a minute, leading to a state of emergency and triggering stress systems that spike the heart rate.
- The link to ‘stubborn’ high blood pressure: Blood pressure stays elevated or surges during apnea episodes, making the heart muscle stiff and less functional over time.
- Dangerous heart rhythm disturbances: The repeated ‘stop-start’ nature of breathing during sleep stimulates stress hormones like adrenaline, increasing the risk of Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) and other irregular heartbeats.
- Inflammation and vascular damage: Repeated breathing pauses trigger systemic inflammation, damaging the lining of the blood vessels and speeding up plaque buildup (atherosclerosis), which can lead to heart attacks and weakened heart function.
- The ‘vicious cycle’ of metabolic stress: Snoring is tightly correlated with abdominal obesity and diabetes, and sleep disruption interferes with hunger hormones, leading to weight gain, which in turn worsens snoring.
The warning signs of sleep apnea that shouldn’t be ignored include daytime fatigue, gasping for air or choking sounds during sleep, morning headaches, and high blood pressure that doesn’t respond well to medication. While occasional snoring due to a cold or alcohol use is generally not dangerous, doctors urge a medical evaluation if snoring is accompanied by these symptoms.
The good news is that heart damage caused by sleep apnea is often preventable and sometimes reversible if caught early. Treatments like CPAP devices, weight management, and lifestyle changes can stabilize heart rhythms and lower blood pressure. If you or a loved one are chronic snorers, a sleep study could be the first step in protecting your heart’s future. It’s essential to seek medical advice if you’re concerned about snoring or sleep apnea, as early detection and treatment can make a significant difference in preventing long-term heart damage.