Habitual snoring as a risk factor for acute vascular disease

We wanted to assess habitual snoring as a credible risk factor for acute vascular disease, mainly stroke and myocardial infarction. The patients selected for the study had been admitted to the hospital through the emergency department, and were evaluated by means of multidimensional interviews and clinical records: 164 had acute cerebrovascular disease, and 136 cardiovascular disease; 330 patients with nonvascular disease were the controls. The evaluation showed 48% of vascular disease patients to be habitual snorers, but only 30% of the controls; the difference was statistically significant. Compared with the controls, in the cerebrovascular patients the risk (odds ratio) associated with habitual snoring was significantly increased, and of the same order as the risk associated with age over 65 yrs, male gender, diabetes mellitus, and dyslipidaemia; whilst the risk associated with hypertension was higher. In the cardiovascular patients, the risk associated with habitual snoring was again significantly increased and of the same order as the risk associated with male gender, body mass index > 29 (kg.m-2), dyslipidaemia, heavy smoking, excessive alcohol intake and hypertension. A logistic regression analysis, entering the variables in the following order: age, gender, body mass index, diabetes, dyslipidaemia, smoking, alcohol, hypertension, and habitual snoring, showed that habitual snoring carries a significant risk factor for stroke and myocardial infarction, even after adjusting for other factors. Since habitual snoring carries a definite risk for acute vascular disease, we conclude that inquiring about it should become routine practice.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				L. Howitt, K. Kairaitis, J. P. Kirkness, S. R. Garlick, J. R. Wheatley, K. Byth, and T. C. Amis Oscillatory pressure wave transmission from the upper airway to the carotid artery J Appl Physiol, November 1, 2007; 103(5): 1622 - 1627. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. Munoz, J. Duran-Cantolla, E. Martinez-Vila, J. Gallego, R. Rubio, F. Aizpuru, and G. De La Torre Severe Sleep Apnea and Risk of Ischemic Stroke in the Elderly Stroke, September 1, 2006; 37(9): 2317 - 2321. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. Amatoury, L. Howitt, J. R. Wheatley, A. P. Avolio, and T. C. Amis Snoring-related energy transmission to the carotid artery in rabbits J Appl Physiol, May 1, 2006; 100(5): 1547 - 1553. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Svensson, E. Lindberg, T. Naessen, and C. Janson Risk factors associated with snoring in women with special emphasis on body mass index: a population-based study. Chest, April 1, 2006; 129(4): 933 - 941. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				H. K. Yaggi, J. Concato, W. N. Kernan, J. H. Lichtman, L. M. Brass, and V. Mohsenin Obstructive Sleep Apnea as a Risk Factor for Stroke and Death. N. Engl. J. Med., November 10, 2005; 353(19): 2034 - 2041. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				O. Parra, A. Arboix, J.M. Montserrat, L. Quinto, S. Bechich, and L. Garcia-Eroles Sleep-related breathing disorders: impact on mortality of cerebrovascular disease Eur. Respir. J., August 1, 2004; 24(2): 267 - 272. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				G J Gibson Sleep disordered breathing and the outcome of stroke Thorax, May 1, 2004; 59(5): 361 - 363. [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. o-D. L. Lattimore, D. S. Celermajer, and I. Wilcox Obstructive sleep apnea and cardiovascular disease J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., May 7, 2003; 41(9): 1429 - 1437. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. Teculescu, B. Hannhart, C. Aubry, B. Montaut-Verient, J.-M. Virion, J.-P. Michaely, and R. Gueguen Who Are the "Occasional" Snorers?* Chest, August 1, 2002; 122(2): 562 - 568. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J.A. Harbison and G.J. Gibson Snoring, sleep apnoea and stroke: chicken or scrambled egg? QJM, October 1, 2000; 93(10): 647 - 654. [Full Text] [PDF]

				O. PARRA, A. ARBOIX, S. BECHICH, L. GARCÍA-EROLES, J. M. MONTSERRAT, J. A. LÓPEZ, E. BALLESTER, J. M. GUERRA, and J. J. SOPEÑA Time Course of Sleep-related Breathing Disorders in First-Ever Stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med., February 1, 2000; 161(2): 375 - 380. [Abstract] [Full Text]