The effect of snoring on relationships, says Dr Idzikowski in an article in the Mail on Sunday 14 September 2008, is well documented but it does have a more sinister side. While it is now recognoised that sleep apnoea (intermittently stopping breathing while asleep) is associated with increased incidence of strokes, its link with snoring is less clear.

A study has found that narrowing of the carotid arteries, the main blood vessels to the brain, was found in 20 percent of mild snorers, 32 per cent in moderate snorers and 64 per cent with heavy snoring.

The outcome is clear – if you want to reduce the possibility of a stroke and you are a heavy snorer you should definitely do something about it.