Snoring Linked to Cardiovascular Disease, Hypertension and Stroke

March 3, 2008 - Loud snoring with breathing pauses is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and increased health care utilization, according to a study published in the March 1 issue of the journal SLEEP. Snoring, a problem that increases with age, is common among senior citizens.

	Related Stories
	Harvard Wants America to Sleep Better and Contributes New Interactive Website ‘Health Sleep’ aimed at helping people better understand sleep Feb. 27, 2008 Three New Studies Focus on Problems in Sleeping for Senior Citizens Respiratory disturbances, periodic leg movement with cognitive impairment, and benefits of daytime nap are explored Feb. 1, 2008 Reducing or Increasing Sleep Leads to More Deaths from Different Causes Sleep Medicine group offers tips on how to get a good night’s sleep - Dec. 3, 2007 Risk of Death Doubles from Too Little or Too Much Sleep Says British Study NIH says senior citizens should know sleep problems not a normal part of aging - Sept. 24, 2007 Ohio Scientists Pushing Blue-Blocking Glasses, Lights to Improve Sleep Website says if glasses don't improve sleep, return them within 30 days and money will be refunded By Tucker Sutherland, editor Nov. 13, 2007 Senior Citizens Toss and Turn with Many Sleep Problems that Come with Aging Many older people may not be getting enough sleep for healthy aging - Aug. 14, 2007 Geriatric Conditions May Hinder Half of All Senior Citizens in Daily Activities Same level of dependency as older patients with chronic diseases - Aug. 8, 2007 Kicking Spouse in Bed at Night Can Now Be Blamed on Your Genes Gene found responsible for Restless Legs Syndrome affecting 10% of senior citizens - July 19, 2007 More links below story Read more Aging News & Information

This study, authored by Marta Novak, MD, PhD, of the Institute of Behavioral Sciences at Semmelweis University in Budapest, Hungary, focused on interviews with 12,643 Hungarian individuals. Interviews were carried out in the homes of the participants and questions about snoring were asked.

According to the results, loud snorers had
    ● 40 percent greater odds of having hypertension,
    ● 34 percent greater odds of having a heart attack and
    ● 67 percent greater odds of having a stroke, compared with people who do not snore, after statistical adjustment for age, sex, body mass index, diabetes, level of education, smoking, and alcohol consumption.

Snoring Increases with Age

Whether you call it by its slang name, "sawing logs," or its medical name, "stertor," snoring is common. You snore when something blocks the flow of air through your mouth and nose. The sound is caused by tissues at the top of your airway that strike each other and vibrate. Many adults snore, especially men. Snoring increases with age and is usually harmless.

However, snoring can also be a sign of a serious sleep disorder called sleep apnea. This means you stop breathing for periods of more than 10 seconds at a time while you sleep. Sleep apnea is serious, but there are treatments that can help. Children can also have sleep apnea. If your child snores frequently, have your health care provider check for sleep apnea.

Here are some tips for reducing snoring:

● Lose weight if you are overweight

● Cut down or eliminate alcohol and other sedatives at bedtime

● Avoid sleeping flat on your back

>> MedlinePlus on Snoring

Quiet snoring was associated only with an increased risk for hypertension in women. Loud snoring was also associated with increased use of health care resources (emergency visits and hospitalization).

“Our findings suggest that loud snoring with breathing pauses carries a significantly increased risk for cardiovascular disease and is close to obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) on the spectrum of sleep disordered breathing, therefore this simple question may identify high risk individuals whom may benefit from a sleep study,” said Istvan Mucsi, MD, PhD, of Semmelweis University and Humber River Regional Hospital and Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto in Canada, co-author of the study.

Snoring is a sound made in the upper airway of your throat as you sleep. It normally occurs as you breathe in air. It is a sign that your airway is being partially blocked.

About one half of people who snore loudly have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). OSA happens when the tissue in the back of the throat collapses to block the entire airway. This keeps air from getting in to the lungs. It occurs because the muscles inside the throat relax as you sleep. Gravity then causes the tongue to fall back and block the airway. It can happen a few times a night or several hundred times per night.

Light snoring may not disrupt your overall quality of sleep. But many people with severe snoring and OSA are sleepy during the day. They find that they are still tired even after a nap.

Almost everyone is likely to snore at one time or another. It has been found in all age groups. Estimates of snoring vary widely based on how it is defined.

Habitual snoring has been found in about 24 percent of adult women and 40 percent of adult men. Both men and women are more likely to snore as they age. Men, however, become less likely to snore after the age of 70.

Snoring is more common in people who are overweight. There is a greater amount of fat in the back of the throat that vibrates as they sleep. Nasal obstruction raises the risk of snoring.

It has also been shown to increase during pregnancy. Snoring appears to run in families. Your likelihood of snoring may also increase with the following present factors:
    ● Drinking alcohol
    ● Using muscle relaxers
    ● Using drugs
    ● Smoking

It is recommended that adults get between seven and eight hours of nightly sleep.

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) offers the following tips on how to get a good night’s sleep:
    ● Follow a consistent bedtime routine.
    ● Establish a relaxing setting at bedtime.
    ● Get a full night’s sleep every night.
    ● Avoid foods or drinks that contain caffeine, as well as any medicine that has a stimulant, prior to bedtime.
    ● Do not bring your worries to bed with you.
    ● Do not go to bed hungry, but don’t eat a big meal before bedtime either.
    ● Avoid any rigorous exercise within six hours of your bedtime.
    ● Make your bedroom quiet, dark and a little bit cool.
    ● Get up at the same time every morning.

Editor’s Notes:

Those who suspect that they might be suffering from OSA, or another sleep disorder, are encouraged to consult with their primary care physician or a sleep specialist.

SLEEP is the official journal of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies, LLC, a joint venture of the AASM and the Sleep Research Society.

More information on snoring is available from the AASM at http://www.SleepEducation.com/Disorder.aspx?id=26, and OSA at http://www.SleepEducation.com/Disorder.aspx?id=7.

SleepEducation.com, a patient education Web site created by the AASM, provides information about various sleep disorders, the forms of treatment available, recent news on the topic of sleep, sleep studies that have been conducted and a listing of sleep facilities.

More links about sleep and senior citizens

Sleep Problems Among the Elderly Linked to Suicide Risk

Many older adults get less sleep than needed due to trouble falling asleep - June 14, 2007

Sleep Disruption Linked to Increased Cardiovascular Risk

Certain sleep disruptions such as obstructive sleep apnea known to convey extensive cardiovascular risk - March 30, 2007

Mistake for Doctors to Neglect Insomnia Treatment in Older Patients

Excessive daytime sleepiness is best predictor of poor health

January 3, 2007

Tips for Senior Citizens to Get a Good Nights Sleep Offered by Longevity Center

New report issued: The Role of Sleep In Healthy Aging

December 7, 2006

Sleep Studies of Older People Find Behavioral Treatment Helps Insomnia; Women Endangered by Restless Legs