New research suggests there is a strong link between loud snoring and both heart disease and strokes.

Hungarian scientists did interviews with more than 12,000 patients.

They concluded that heavy snorers were significantly more likely to have a heart attack or stroke compared to the rest of the population.

This new data, published in the Journal Sleep, adds weight to existing theories about the link between snoring and cardiovascular disease.

We all snore at some stage in our lives. And while it is more common in people who are overweight it is estimated that about 40% of adult males and 24% of adult females are habitual snorers.

For several years now, scientists have been aware of a relationship between snoring and cardiovascular diseases such as heart attacks and strokes.

But this new study from Hungary adds more weight to the idea.

Increased risk

More than 12,000 people were interviewed in their homes and questioned about snoring.

Compared to the rest of the population, loud snorers had a 34% increased risk of having a heart attack, and a 67% greater chance of suffering a stroke.

The researchers say that loud snoring with breathing pauses could be used to help identify people at risk from these diseases.

The data highlighted the fact that people who snore quietly had no increase in their risk of cardiovascular illness.

Some good news though - for men, it seems the tendency to snore declines once they get past the age of 70.

(BBC)

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