Snoring as a Risk Factor for Ischaemic Heart Disease and Stroke in Men

Abstract

Heavy snoring, which is practically always present in obstructive sleep apnoea, seems to correlate with arterial hypertension [1-6]. During sleep, apnoeic patients may develop hypoxaemia and hypercapnia in association with a rise in pulmonary and systemic arterial pressure, and there may be increased susceptibility to cardiac arrhythmias [7-11]. Cardiac index decreases during an apnoeic episode and increases significantly on resumption of ventilation [12]. There is increasing evidence for a correlation of snoring with cardiovascular disease. Cross-sectional surveys have indicated an association with ischaemic heart disease (IHD) [13] and with angina pectoris [6]. A case-control study [14] of stroke patients found a relative risk (RR) of 2.8 for snoring, and 10.8 for habitual snoring. Prospective studies of snoring in relation to cardiovascular disease have not been reported.

While the present volume was prepared, a revised version of this chapter was submitted to the British Medical Journal and published, not altered in substance, in Vol. 294 on Jan 3, 1987. The editors are grateful to the editor of British Medical Journal for permission to include the paper in the present context.