Submitted by Dr T on January 29, 2013 – 5:00pm
Question:
Hi Dr T,
My husband snores. Should he have surgery to prevent heart disease later in life?
My husband snores. Should he have surgery to prevent heart disease later in life?
Hi Amelia,
Of course not. There are excellent reasons to recommend an operation for snoring but NOT to prevent a heart attack or stroke later in life as has been reported (incorrectly) recently in the news. Coronary artery disease is caused by atherosclerosis, which is caused by a number of cardiac risk factors, none of which include snoring. However, many patients who are at risk of (or have) heart disease, snore – not at all the same!
Living a heart-healthy life with a good diet and exercise will protect him better than any surgery to treat snoring! If you are worried that is at risk for heart disease, answer these questions to assess his cardiac risks.
Hope this helps,
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