By itself, snoring isn’t harmful, but it could be a sign of sleep apnea, which decreases how well you breathe during sleep and affects your heart health.

Key takeaways

• Snoring can be a sign of sleep apnea, a condition that impacts how well you breathe when you sleep.
• It can be hard to detect sleep apnea on your own, but a partner may notice that you snore a lot, gasp or stop breathing during sleep, or wake up multiple times each night.
• Left untreated, sleep apnea can increase your risk of heart disease and other long-term health issues because it makes the heart work harder.

Can snoring cause heart problems?

If you’ve ever had a partner who snores, you know how disruptive it can be. The low, rumbling, and sometimes very loud sounds happen when tissues in the back of the throat vibrate as you breathe. A lot of adults snore pretty regularly—25–50%, according to the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).

Snoring, by itself, isn’t bad for you. But snoring is a common sign of sleep apnea, a condition that affects your breathing and quality of sleep. Left untreated, sleep apnea can affect your heart health.

One of the best ways you can show your heart some love is with a good night’s sleep. And that starts with recognizing signs of sleep apnea in yourself or your boo.

What is sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea is a condition that impacts how you breathe when you sleep. Snoring is the most common sign of obstructive sleep apnea. If you have this type of sleep apnea, the tissues in the back of your throat close when you inhale, which means you get less oxygen.

People with sleep apnea often stop breathing for 10-20 seconds, multiple times each night. When you stop breathing, you wake up—even if you aren’t aware of it—and you don’t get the quality sleep you should.

Sleep apnea warning signs

It can be hard to notice signs of sleep apnea on your own. Often, partners or family members are the first to recognize sleep apnea symptoms. Look out for:

• Dry mouth or a headache when you wake up
• Frequent, loud snoring
• Gasping or choking during sleep
• High blood pressure that gets worse
• Interruptions in breathing at night
• Lots of night wakeups
• Tiredness or mental fog during the day
• Trouble sleeping

Risk factors for sleep apnea

According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, there are many risk factors for sleep apnea. These factors often increase inflammation, fatty tissue buildup, and the narrowing of your upper airway:

• Age
• Disorders that affect hormone levels, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or low thyroid hormone levels
• Drinking alcohol
• Family history of sleep apnea
• Heart failure or kidney failure
• Large tongue, tonsils, or neck
• Obesity
• Smoking

How does sleep apnea affect the heart?

Unfortunately, sleep apnea is more than just an annoyance. It can also worsen or increase your risk of heart disease and long-term heart problems, such as:

• Heart attack
• High blood pressure
• Irregular heartbeat (atrial fibrillation)
• Narrowed arteries (coronary artery disease)
• Slow heart rate (brachycardia)

Sleep apnea is a type of sleep deprivation. And sleep deprivation negatively impacts your heart health. Each day, your body requires quality sleep to repair and recover. When you don’t give it that time, body systems, like the heart, can suffer.

Obstructive sleep apnea affects the heart, especially, because it causes you to stop breathing over and over again. Less breathing means less oxygen in your blood. Less oxygen in the blood can damage blood vessels, increase pressure, and make your heart beat faster—putting extra stress on the heart. The good news is that with treatment, you can get a better night’s rest and protect your heart health.

Who can help with sleep apnea?

If you think you or your partner might have sleep apnea, it’s best to talk to your primary care provider. They can answer any questions and even refer you to a sleep specialist.

At LCMC Health, our sleep care specialists offer sleep evaluations to diagnose your condition and provide the relief you need for quality sleep—and improved mental and physical health.

Learn more about sleep care services near you.

Related questions about sleep

Is snoring bad for you?

Primary snoring (without sleep apnea) isn’t bad for you. However, snoring with sleep apnea disrupts sleep and decreases oxygen levels, which can hurt your health—especially your heart.

How common is sleep apnea?

According to the American Medical Association, around 30 million people in the United States have obstructive sleep apnea. But researchers estimate that over 80% of cases aren’t diagnosed. That means millions of people have sleep apnea but don’t know it.

What are treatments for obstructive sleep apnea?

The most common treatment for obstructive sleep apnea is a device called a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine that can improve breathing. Other treatment options include lifestyle changes, mouth and throat exercises, mouthpieces, and surgery.

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