Snoring can be annoying, but it can also be a sign of something more serious like sleep apnea.

Experts say a partner may notice a person stops breathing and restarts while they’re sleeping. That can lead to chronic diseases affecting the heart, brain and metabolism.

Most people who snore have some degree obstructive sleep apnea. Most recently, health officials have learned that people don’t get at least seven hours of sleep per night.

People with sleep apnea are at higher risk to develop dementia over the course of their lifetime when they get older.