Question 1

Is snoring dangerous for your heart?

Accepted Answer

Occasional snoring is not usually a concern. However, loud, chronic snoring accompanied by choking, gasping, or breathing pauses can be a sign of obstructive sleep apnoea, which is associated with increased cardiovascular risk. It is worth getting checked rather than assuming it is harmless.

Question 2

Should cardiac arrest survivors be tested for sleep apnoea?

Accepted Answer

It is worth raising with your GP or cardiologist, especially if you or your partner have noticed loud snoring, breathing pauses, or unrefreshing sleep. Sleep apnoea is more common in people with cardiovascular disease, and a simple sleep study can confirm whether it is present.

Question 3

What are the warning signs of sleep apnoea?

Accepted Answer

Loud, persistent snoring, pauses in breathing or gasping and choking during sleep (often noticed by a partner), waking up feeling unrefreshed, morning headaches, and excessive daytime sleepiness are all common warning signs. Speak to your GP if these sound familiar, particularly if you also have heart disease or high blood pressure.

Question 4

Can CPAP reduce the risk of cardiac arrest?

Accepted Answer

Evidence suggests it may help. A 2024 Danish nationwide study of over 45,000 cardiac arrests found that people with sleep apnoea who were not using CPAP had a higher risk than people without sleep apnoea, while people using CPAP did not show that increased risk. CPAP is not a guarantee, but using it consistently appears to be protective.

Question 5

What is the link between sleep apnoea and sudden cardiac death?

Accepted Answer

Sleep apnoea repeatedly drops your oxygen levels and places strain on the heart during sleep, which over time can affect the heart's electrical activity and increase the risk of dangerous rhythms. Studies have found that people with sleep apnoea are more likely to have a cardiac arrest during the night, particularly between midnight and 6am.

Question 6

Does sleep apnoea cause cardiac arrest?

Accepted Answer

Not directly, as far as we know. Sleep apnoea is linked to a higher risk of cardiac arrest, especially when it's severe and untreated, but it hasn't been shown to cause cardiac arrest on its own. It seems to add to the risk alongside other things like heart disease, high blood pressure, and irregular heart rhythms.