Snoring Linked to High Blood Pressure
People who snore due to a narrow airway may habitually place more stress on the body during sleep. When people do not breath as often as needed, one’s oxygen concentration can decrease. This can cause an increase in blood pressure and put a strain on their cardiovascular system.
How Snoring affects High Blood Pressure
A reduction in oxygen in the body forces the brain to stimulate blood vessels to redirect more oxygen to the heart and brain. Over an extended period of time, narrowed arteries may cause excess strain on your body. Left untreated, high blood pressure may lead to serious health complications including blood clots and heart attacks.
Medical Research on Snoring and High Blood Pressure
Research shows there is a strong correlation between people who do not acquire the proper amount of sleep or snore while sleeping and high blood pressure. According to The National Sleep Foundation, nearly 90 million adults in the United States snore and 18 million adults have sleep apnea.
People with moderate to severe sleep apnea are seven times more likely to have high blood pressure. Even those who regularly snore but do not have sleep apnea are more likely to have high blood pressure than those who do not snore. People who occasionally snore are at less risk risks of high blood pressure.
Treat Snoring With SnoreRx
Luckily, snoring can easily be treated. A mouthpiece may be the best solution for some people as it helps increase the quality of sleep while reducing the risk of high blood pressure. To have a better understanding if you are at risk of high blood pressure due to snoring, undergo a sleep assessment.
If you believe you have sleep apnea, contact your physician immediately. For severe cases, CPAP may be your best option.