8 Signs Your Snoring May Be Dangerous

Most people will snore at some point in their lives. A common cold or allergies may interfere with the nasal passage. Even too many drinks too close to bedtime can relax the tongue, palate, and throat muscles and make us unconsciously force air past those soft tissues, causing vibrations that result in a snore.

When it comes to snoring, do you find yourself asking these questions?

• How do you know if your snoring is dangerous?
• Can High BP cause snoring?
• Do blocked arteries cause snoring?
• Can snoring affect your heart?
• Does snoring shorten your life?
• Can snoring lead to death?

Snoring may be a symptom of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a serious sleep disorder in which people stop breathing for 10 seconds or more at any given time. Read on to learn more about the risks, signs, and symptoms for this sleep disorder, then get started on your journey to stop snoring.

Well, duh, but hear us out: Snoring is a warning sign as it is often associated with OSA. Not all snorers have OSA, but if snoring is accompanied by any of the following symptoms, it may be an indication to see a doctor for further evaluation for OSA. If you suspect that you snore, we recommend using an app like SnoreLab to record and measure your snoring. ZQuiet offers a free download of the Snorelab app. Knowledge is power when it comes to stopping snoring!

Frequently feeling tired during the day is a notable indicator of poor sleep. In combination with snoring, it can be an early symptom of sleep apnea. Falling asleep anytime and at any moment are basic symptoms in addition to fatigue and loud snoring.

Most people have no knowledge that they snore at night, nor do they know they may stop breathing during their sleep at night unless the blockage is so severe that they can wake up gasping and choking. They are typically made aware when their partner notices it or is awakened by an incident.

Obstructive sleep apnea often leads to hypertension. When a person stops breathing, even for just a few seconds, the body's sympathetic nervous system flies into action and rapidly increases blood pressure. The body releases natural stress hormones known as catecholamines, often which also raise blood pressure over time. Having hypertension alone is not necessarily a sign of a sleep disorder, but can be a warning sign when combined with other symptoms.

Body mass index (BMI) is a range commonly used to indicate a healthy weight. Your weight is considered healthy if your BMI falls between 18.5 and 24.9. You are deemed overweight by most medical professionals when your BMI is between 25 and 29.9 -- and a BMI of 30 or more can indicate you are obese. Weight loss often leads to improved sleep and reduction or elimination of snoring.

Our muscles weaken with age, including our soft palate and neck. People over the age of 50 often experience snoring and/or some of the symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea.

Sounds silly, right? A large neck circumference, typical from being overweight or just genetics, is also often a key indicator of future obstructive sleep apnea. The typical rule of thumb is always that a collar size of greater than 17 inches (43 centimeters) for a male, and greater than 16 inches (40.6 centimeters) for a female can put you at a higher risk for sleep apnea.

Sorry guys, but men historically have an increased risk for obstructive sleep apnea. Many of the reasons are that men tend to have fatter tongues and carry more fat in their upper bodies than women, especially in the neck. Men also tend to have more belly fat, which can often make breathing in general more difficult.

We can help you stop snoring to get better sleep. We have helped people seeking solutions for how to stop snoring for years. Browse our snore stopper solutions.