Snoring "raises blood pressure"

Wednesday 13th February 2008

A snoring partner can cause blood pressure to rise even as you sleep, according to new research.

Aircraft and traffic noise are just a few other intrusive noises that can cause the occurrence, scientists found.

The discovery was made after the scientists monitored 140 sleeping volunteers at their homes near Heathrow and three other major European airports.

Participants' blood pressure was found to increase noticeably after a "noise event" - a sound louder than 35 decibels.

Aircraft noise produced an average rise in systolic "heartbeat" blood pressure of 6.2mm of mercury (mmHg).

Diastolic pressure, the pressure between beats, was increased by 7.4 mmHg. Similar blood pressure rises were triggered by other noise sources such as traffic.

The scientists said that overall blood pressure went up in direct relation to noise loudness. The type of sound, or its origin, did not appear to be important.

Dr Lars Jarup, one of the study authors from Imperial College London, said: "We know that noise from air traffic can be a source of irritation, but our research shows that it can also be damaging for people's health, which is particularly significant in light of plans to expand international airports."

Imperial College London

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