Snoring is the sound produced during sleep due to vibrations that occur in the throat. This rather loud voice is often considered a disturbance to the people around him who hear it. Most people think that snoring occurs when we are feeling tired after a day full of activity. In fact, according to experts, snoring is a health disorder.

In the medical world, someone who has a habit of snoring is often associated with a higher risk of lung and heart disease. One disease that often occurs is Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). OSA is a condition where the air flow stops for approximately 10 seconds that decrease the oxygen level in the blood. This can cause the effect of suffocation to its sufferers. OSA can happen to anyone, although men have a risk twice as high compared to women.

Although men have a higher risk, according to the results of a study presented at the annual Radiological Society of North America meeting, women who snore or suffer from OSA have a higher risk of heart failure. The researchers found that women who snored had a higher left ventricular mass than men. This increase in mass indicates that the heart needs to work harder to meet the body's needs.

To get these result, the researchers analysed data on 4,877 participants enrolled in the UK Biobank. The data includes a history of heart health, OSA diagnosis and the habit of snoring the participants. Each participant was asked to undergo a heart MRI to find out about the connection.

Text by Anggie Triana
Stock photos from Getty Image

Source(s):

• Radiological Society of North America - Snoring Poses Greater Cardiac Risk to Women (2018). https://press.rsna.org/timssnet/media/pressreleases/14_pr_target.cfm?id=2055, December 05, 2018.
• Medical News Today - Snoring can be a worsen heart function, especially in women (2018). https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323829.php, December 05, 2018.