Snoring may be a hidden risk factor for high blood pressure: sleep apnea syndrome

Snoring may trigger high blood pressure: Many people believe that snoring indicates good sleep quality and sound sleep. However, snoring is not a good sign. For some, snoring is an outward manifestation of sleep apnea syndrome, which seriously threatens health. Therefore, loud snoring should be taken seriously; it's not a minor issue.

If a snoring patient experiences more than 30 pauses in breathing during a continuous 7-hour sleep period, each pause lasting 10 seconds or more, or an average of more than 5 apnea-hypopnea episodes per hour (respiratory disturbance index), it is called sleep apnea syndrome. Sleep apnea syndrome can lead to serious health problems such as high blood pressure, stroke, kidney disease, heart failure, and metabolic disorders. Therefore, it is crucial to seek treatment at a reputable hospital.

Characteristics of patients with sleep apnea syndrome:
1. Daytime fatigue, drowsiness, and lack of energy; some patients experience headaches, lethargy, and irritability upon waking.

2. A significantly higher incidence of heart disease compared to the general population. Patients with sleep apnea syndrome experience long-term hypoxia, leading to vascular endothelial damage and inflammation, ultimately causing a series of cardiovascular diseases, including hypertension, myocardial infarction, heart failure, arrhythmia, thrombosis, and stroke.

3. Sleep apnea syndrome can also cause metabolic disorders. Long-term hypoxia and inflammation can cause insulin resistance, eventually leading to diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and obesity. Conversely, obesity and metabolic disorders can further aggravate sleep apnea, creating a vicious cycle.

How to deal with snoring:

1. Changing your sleeping position to side-lying can reduce snoring caused by airway obstruction.

2. Improve unhealthy lifestyle habits. Balance work and rest during the day, avoid overwork; quit smoking and drinking alcohol, avoid overeating at dinner; avoid staying up late, and avoid drinking strong tea or coffee before bed.

3. For severe snoring, non-invasive continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy can be used at night.

4. Surgical relief of airway obstruction can be used, but some patients still require CPAP therapy after surgery.