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Men and Snoring: Why Your Bed Partner Might Notice the Signs Before You Do

June 13, 2025

For many Australian men, snoring is often brushed off as nothing more than an embarrassing quirk — a noisy inconvenience that annoys the person sleeping next to you. But what if that snoring is a sign of something much more serious?

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) affects around 1 in 4 men over the age of 30, and the numbers only go up with age — nearly half of men aged 40 to 69 may be affected, and in men over 70, it could be as high as 62%.1,2 What makes sleep apnea so tricky is that you often don’t know you have it. In fact, it’s often your partner who notices the signs first: the loud snoring, pauses in breathing, gasping, choking, and restless tossing and turning throughout the night.3

These symptoms are caused by repeated blockages of the airway during sleep. The throat collapses, stopping airflow for several seconds at a time — sometimes hundreds of times a night. This forces your brain to jolt you awake momentarily to resume breathing, disrupting your sleep without you even realising it.3

If your partner has been nudging you awake, mentioning how you seem to stop breathing, or complaining about being exhausted from your nightly soundtrack, it’s time to listen — not just to them, but to your body.

Left untreated, OSA does more than just ruin a good night’s sleep. It’s associated with a 4.5-times higher risk of heart failure and more than double the risk of heart attack, angina, diabetes, and stroke.2,3 It can also affect your mental and emotional wellbeing — leading to mood swings, irritability, and low energy, which can take a real toll on your relationship too.4

What’s encouraging is that sleep apnea is highly treatable. The gold standard of treatment is CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) – a bedside device which keeps your airway open by blowing air through a mask while you sleep, eliminating symptoms.1

If your partner has been raising red flags about your snoring or disrupted sleep, don’t ignore them. Their observations could be the first clue to an underlying condition that’s impacting not only your health, but your quality of life and relationships too.

If you or someone you love has signs of sleep apnea — like loud snoring, daytime tiredness, or pauses in breathing during sleep — speak to your doctor. A simple sleep study could be the first step toward better sleep, better health, and a better relationship.

How Sove CPAP Clinic Can Help

Founded in 2008, Sove CPAP Clinic has grown to become a leading provider of respiratory and sleep services and products in Australia, with over 60 clinics nationwide. Our comprehensive clinical team includes Respiratory & Sleep Specialists, Sleep Technologists, and CPAP Consultants, ensuring that you receive comprehensive and personalised care. All medical procedures, including sleep studies and lung function testing, are bulk billed to all Australians, with minimal wait time.

If you would like to speak to a Respiratory & Sleep Physician, book a bulk-billed sleep study, or seek advice for your sleep apnea, you can reach us at 1300 76 29 39 or info@thecpapclinic.com.au.

ALWAYS FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS FOR USE. CPAP is used for Obstructive Sleep Apnea treatment. When considering whether a sleep study or CPAP is right for you, speak to your doctor. Medicare criteria and T&Cs apply.

References

  1. Better Health Channel. “Sleep Apnoea.” Vic.gov.au, 2012, www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/sleep-apnoea.
  2. Senaratna, Chamara Visanka, et al. “Sleep Apnoea in Australian Men: Disease Burden, Co-Morbidities, and Correlates from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Male Health.” BMC Public Health, vol. 16, no. S3, Oct. 2016, https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-016-3703-8. Accessed 11 Mar. 2020.
  3. Healthdirect Australia. “Obstructive Sleep Apnoea.” Www.healthdirect.gov.au, 14 Sept. 2022, www.healthdirect.gov.au/obstructive-sleep-apnoea.
  4. Bolding, Dr Scott. “How Sleep Apnea Affects Your Relationship | Precident.com.” PRECiDENT | Center for Facial & Dental Medicine, Mar. 2023, precident.com/blog/how-sleep-apnea-affects-your-relationship. Accessed 13 June 2025.