Frequent Snoring May Signal High Blood Pressure Risk

A common nighttime issue could be an early sign of high blood pressure and even heart failure, doctors say.

Findings from a study by sleep specialists at Flinders University suggest that people who snore regularly at night face a higher risk of elevated blood pressure and uncontrolled hypertension. The risk appears to be especially high among overweight, middle-aged men.

The study’s lead author, Dr Bastien Lechat from the College of Medicine and Public Health, said the results provide more objective evidence of a meaningful link between regular nighttime snoring and high blood pressure.

According to Dr Lechat, about 15% of participants—most of whom were overweight men—snored for more than 20% of the night on average. This pattern of regular snoring was associated with higher blood pressure and uncontrolled hypertension.

To reduce snoring, specialists recommend the following:

• lose excess weight;
• sleep on your side. Some people sew a tennis ball into the back of their sleepwear to prevent rolling onto their back, while others use a special pillow or wedge to help maintain a side-sleeping position.

Researchers note that snoring is widespread, but its potential impact on health is often overlooked.

They also point out that snoring and sleep apnea—a condition marked by repeated pauses in breathing during sleep—often occur together. In the study, people who snored regularly had nearly twice the risk of uncontrolled hypertension. The risk was even higher among those who both snored regularly and had sleep apnea, compared with people who did not snore regularly.

The researchers emphasized that snoring alone may be an early warning sign of high blood pressure, as the sleep disruption it causes can increase the likelihood of developing hypertension. Over time, this may lead to serious complications, including heart failure, stroke, heart disease, and kidney disease.