The Snoring–Heart Failure Link: Are You Ignoring the Most Dangerous Symptom?

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loud and chronic snoring can be a dangerous, easily ignored symptom of underlying conditions like obstructive sleep apnea, which significantly increases the risk of heart failure and other cardiovascular diseases. According to experts, the link should not be ignored, as early detection and treatment are vital for preventing serious complications.

How does snoring increase the risk of heart failure?

Doctors say snoring is a symptom of sleep apnea, the disorder that millions of people across the world suffer from. There are many types of sleep apnea, with the most common being obstructive sleep apnea or OSA. It occurs when the soft tissue in your throat relaxes and droops while you sleep, which obstructs your breathing and can cause you to snore. OSA causes interruptions in breathing that often last for at least ten seconds and happen repeatedly throughout sleep. These constant sleep interruptions cause a drop in blood oxygen levels. Low blood oxygen levels also cause other effects like inflammation and increases in stress hormones as a result of activation of the sympathetic nervous system, which places strain on your heart and entire cardiovascular system. Over time, OSA makes you gasp for air, activating stress responses that damage blood vessels and weaken your heart muscle over time – thereby increasing the risk of heart failure, arrhythmias, hypertension, heart attack, and stroke. These nighttime stresses prevent proper heart recovery, leading to stiffness and impaired pumping ability, which are hallmarks of heart failure.

What is the risk factor for sleep apnea?

hile once it was thought to be the disease of the obese, it has been proven not to be true. While some people who are obese may have sleep apnea, other risk groups include:

• Those who drink alcohol or use sleeping pills
• Those who have diabetes
• Those with congestive heart failure
• People aged in their 50s and 60s
• Men more than women

Signs and symptoms of sleep apnea

A few signs and symptoms of sleep apnea include:

• Daytime fatigue or needing a nap
• Falling asleep or being drowsy at odd times, such as while driving or watching television
• Snoring at night
• Waking up suddenly from sleep, gasping or choking for no apparent reason
• Waking up with a dry or sore throat or a headache
• Inability to focus
• Not feeling refreshed in the morning.
• Choking on acid reflux during the night

Ways to manage snoring

You can reduce snoring at home by adjusting your sleeping position. According to experts, you can elevate your upper body with pillows, or an adjustable mattress can also help. If snoring is more noticeable when you are on your back, sleeping on your side might also be beneficial. It also helps to maintain a moderate weight, as being overweight can put pressure on the soft tissues in the throat, making them more likely to obstruct your breathing while you sleep. Alcohol consumption also worsens the condition, and so, doctors advise quitting the beverage completely. Some people may also need medical help to reduce snoring. If adjusting your sleep position or lifestyle habits isn’t effective, your doctor may recommend a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP machine to help you breathe properly while sleeping.