More than eight million people in Britain aged 30 to 69 have the dangerous complaint, where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep — but 85 per cent are not even aware of it.

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If left untreated, sufferers have a 30 per cent greater risk of heart disease and are 60 per cent more likely to have a stroke.

Dr David Garley, from The Better Sleep Clinic told Sun on Sunday Health: “Some people stop breathing 60 times an hour when they’re asleep.

“Most people with it are snorers too and don’t know they have it unless somebody else sees them sleeping and spots it.

“But because you’re so tired during the day you could end up struggling with low mood and poor concentration.

“You might keep falling asleep during the day too.

“Long term, people with sleep apnoea have a greater risk of coronary heart disease, depression, stroke and a 140 per cent higher risk of heart failure.

“It can also lead to Type 2 diabetes and sufferers may get dementia earlier in life.

“People with it are also more likely to have a car accident because they’re so tired.”

When you sleep, your airway naturally narrows.

In some people this makes the airflow turbulent, which makes the soft tissues vibrate, causing snoring.

In sleep apnoea, the airway narrows so much that airflow gets restricted or the airway closes altogether. Being obese, drinking alcohol, smoking, sleeping on your back and an underactive thyroid all increase your risk.

It is more common in men and the risk goes up as you age.

Dr Garley said: “At least eight million Brits have it and that number is going up.

“It’s important to know the signs which include loud snoring, gasping for air during your sleep, waking with a dry mouth or a morning headache and difficulty staying asleep.

Often, it’s down to partners to identify the condition.

Dr Garley said: “Snoring is a huge issue if you are in a relationship.

“Sometimes couples have what we call a ‘sleep divorce’ where they end up sleeping in separate bedrooms.

“They won’t go on holiday together as they don’t want to sleep in the same room.

“I’ve seen people drag their partners into our clinic by the collar because it’s so often worse for bedfellows than it is for snorers themselves.”

There is treatment for sufferers using a CPAP — continuous positive airway pressure — machine which uses a hose connected to a mask or nosepiece to deliver constant and steady air pressure to help you breathe while you sleep.

The Sun on Sunday asked three couples to a snore-a-thon to find out just how bad their noises are.

Using a kit from The Better Sleep Clinic, which is made up of a watch-like device, finger probe and chest pad they recorded noises throughout the night and Dr Garley analysed the results . . . 

‘Cute snuffles as loud as an office’

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JUAN Lopez, 35, a sound recordist, is married to mum-of-two Michelle, 37, from Ealing, London.

He says his wife’s snoring sounds like a train.

Michelle’s sleep test confirmed she hit 60 decibels – as loud as a crowded restaurant or office.

And that was for 20 per cent of the night.

Dr Garley said: “Even when Michelle’s snoring dipped to 50 decibels, it was pretty constant and would affect her quality of sleep as well as being an issue for Juan.

“It is also likely to be a sign of sleep apnoea at this volume.”

Michelle said: “I always thought I cutely snuffled and Juan was just teasing.”

‘Invaluable to know there’s help’

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SOL Rowley, a mum-of-three, and DJ husband Chris, both 45, of Stoke on Trent, often row over her loud snoring, which was off the chart.

Dr Garley said: “lt was averaging 50 decibels, reaching as high as 70, on and off all night.

“She also has all the markers of sleep apnoea and stopped breathing for at least ten seconds, 39 times an hour.

“Her snoring didn’t allow her to enter deep sleep.

“She would benefit from a CPAP machine.”

Sol said: “It’s invaluable to know I have a medical condition and can get help.”

‘Noise compares to washing machine’

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CAROLINE Duddrige, 64, a teaching assistant, says that her partner Dean Jones’ snoring is as loud as a pneumatic drill.

The former police officer’s test revealed mild to moderate snoring, around 30 to 40 decibels.

Dr Garley said: “We rate mild snoring around 40 decibels, which was fairly constant for Dean, jumping up momentarily to 60 or 70 – so the sound of a washing machine – when he rolled from his side to his back.”

Dean, 65, said: “Caroline reckons they could play my snores for fog warnings at sea.

“Knowing I am a simple snorer is a relief.”