Regularly waking up during the night may be an alarming symptom indicating an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, including stroke and heart failure, according to researchers from Flinders University in Australia, as reported by the Daily Express.

The research team, led by Dr. Bastien Lechat, conducted the first large-scale study using advanced home-based nighttime sleep monitoring technologies, writes Planet Today. The study involved more than 72,000 participants, and long-term analysis revealed a consistent link between snoring, fragmented sleep, and high blood pressure.

Dr. Lechat noted that this is the first time scientists have been able to objectively confirm the association between regular nighttime snoring and elevated blood pressure. One concerning finding, he said, is that around 15% of all participants—mainly overweight men—snored during more than 20% of their total sleep time. These individuals were also more likely to experience episodes of uncontrolled hypertension, increasing their risk of serious health consequences.

The researcher emphasized that hypertension—chronically high blood pressure—can trigger a range of dangerous conditions, from stroke to kidney failure and heart problems. Regular sleep disruptions, especially if occurring five or six nights a week, lead to chronic sleep disorders that, according to Dr. Lechat, may have fatal consequences.

He also highlighted the particular danger of nighttime blood pressure fluctuations in people who are overweight and suffer from snoring. Elevated nighttime blood pressure often goes unnoticed by patients but serves as a hidden risk factor for stroke or heart failure.

Experts stress the importance of at-home sleep diagnostics, especially for patients who are overweight and show signs of sleep disturbances. The data obtained, according to the researchers, opens up new opportunities for preventing cardiovascular diseases linked to sleep disorders and could form the basis for more accurate diagnostic and treatment methods.

The study used technologies that enabled long-term observation of participants in real-world conditions, which helped avoid data distortion typical of laboratory methods. This approach, Dr. Lechat emphasized, made it possible to identify patterns that had previously gone undetected.

In the researcher’s opinion, persistent snoring and fragmented sleep should not be seen as harmless but rather as potentially dangerous symptoms requiring medical attention. He added: “If your sleep is disrupted almost every night, it's not just discomfort—it’s a factor that could cost you your life.”