Snoring could point to undiagnosed hypertension and raise the risk of heart failure or stroke, experts say

Snoring Linked to High Blood Pressure Risk, Study Finds might seem harmless—or just annoying—but new research suggests it could be an early red flag for high blood pressure, and even signal a risk of heart failure or stroke.

A major global study by Flinders University in Australia found that people—particularly overweight, middle-aged men—who snore regularly are far more likely to develop uncontrolled hypertension. The research, which used home-based monitoring tech across multiple nights, is the largest of its kind and was recently published in Nature Digital Medicine.

Dr Bastien Lechat, lead author and sleep specialist, said: “For the first time, we can objectively say there is a significant link between regular night-time snoring and high blood pressure.”

According to the study, around 15% of participants snored for more than 20% of the night, on average. That group showed a markedly higher risk of elevated blood pressure, which, if left untreated, can lead to serious conditions like heart disease, stroke, or kidney failure.

Professor Danny Eckert, Director of Sleep Health at Flinders and senior author, added: “Snoring is too often brushed off as a nuisance. But it’s more than noise—it can be a clinical symptom. Those who snore regularly had nearly double the risk of uncontrolled hypertension, and that risk rose even further if sleep apnoea was also present.”

Snoring often coexists with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), a disorder where breathing repeatedly stops during sleep. Poor sleep quality from both conditions puts strain on the cardiovascular system. The NHS advises those who snore to consider losing weight, avoiding alcohol, and sleeping on their side—perhaps using a tennis ball sewn into pyjamas or a specialist wedge pillow to discourage lying on the back.

The findings are supported by further research from the UK Biobank, involving over 72,000 participants aged 40 to 79. It showed that irregular sleep—frequently shifting wake-up times or sleeping in different beds—also increases the risk of hypertension. Jean-Philippe Chaput, lead researcher from the University of Ottawa, said: “We should aim to go to bed and wake up within a 30-minute window every day, including weekends.”

The Flinders study monitored over 12,000 people worldwide for nine months using sensors under mattresses and FDA-approved home blood pressure monitors. The data confirmed that snoring could no longer be ignored in conversations about cardiovascular health.

Dr Lechat noted: “This is the largest study to date using objective sleep data gathered in people’s homes. Our results reveal how snoring may contribute directly to poor blood pressure control.”

The NHS also advises against smoking, excessive alcohol, and the use of sleeping pills—three common factors that worsen snoring.

If you or someone you live with snores regularly, particularly alongside symptoms like poor sleep, extreme tiredness, or breathing interruptions during the night, medical advice should be sought. A sleep study may be recommended to rule out sleep apnoea or other related conditions.

Professor Eckert stressed the need for awareness in clinical settings: “Snoring should be considered in the context of cardiovascular health. Ignoring it may delay vital treatment.”

The study’s authors now hope to explore whether targeting snoring directly—through therapy or lifestyle interventions—could improve hypertension outcomes.

Snoring, it seems, might be more than a bedroom disturbance. For some, it could be a life-saving warning.