TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - People who snore may seem like they are in a deep sleep. Dr. Huang Chun Hao found that people who snore during their sleep have bigger risks to suffer from carotid arteries thickening compared to smokers, people with obesity, and people with high cholesterol level.
"Snoring is more dangerous than smoking," said Huang Chun. The carotid arteries thickening can cause the thickening of blood vessels and obstruct blood supply to the neck and head, including brain.
Huang said that snoring is the sign of interrupted breath during sleep or sleep apnea. It happens due to the constriction of the respiratory system which interrupts breath even when the chest is moving ups and down to inhale air. The result is the decrease of oxygen level along the night. Experts have revealed that sleep apnea is the main cause of hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, impotence, and stroke.
Snoring is usually considered only as disturbing sound and not dangerous. Huang Chuan suggests changing such paradigm. "If you find any of your friends or family snoring, warn them. That way you can save their live," said Huang Chun.
RINA HASIR
