Snoring May Sound Alarm for Arterial Disease

Even if you don’t have sleep apnea, snoring could mean your carotid arteries are at risk.

While snoring is often a sign of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a known heart disease risk, snoring can also be a danger even if the snorer doesn’t have OSA, a condition marked by frequent disruptions in breathing while asleep. A new study found that, especially among people who are overweight, smoke or have high cholesterol, snoring can lead to thickening or abnormalities in the carotid arteries. The study was presented at the Triological Society conference in January and has been submitted for publication in the journal The Laryngoscope.