Does sleeping on your side worsen or increase the risk of heart disease?
August 30, 20242 Mins Read
We find the most comfortable position during sleep. But did you know that the position you sleep in can affect your heart health? If you like to sleep lying down, then surely there is a question in your mind that it is harmful for the heart or not? Let's know the details-

If you sleep on your side

No direct cardiovascular risk

Sleeping on your back does not directly increase the risk of heart attack or other cardiovascular problems in people whose hearts function normally. The cardiovascular system is generally not affected by sleeping position, say experts.

Gastrointestinal problems

Sleeping full can worsen gastrointestinal acid reflux, which can exacerbate or overlap symptoms of cardiac problems. It can cause sleep disturbances, which is detrimental to overall health, especially in cardiac patients.

How does sleeping position affect heart health and overall cardiovascular risk?

Cardiovascular Adaptation: In healthy individuals, the heart can adapt to different sleeping positions without any negative effects.

Effects on heart failure patients: Heart failure patients may experience discomfort lying on the left side, as it may reduce cardiac output. Such patients mostly prefer to sleep on the right side, which is more comfortable.

Symptom Overlap: While sleeping on an empty stomach does not inherently increase the risk of heart disease, the possibility of increased acid reflux can disrupt sleep and thereby increase symptoms of heart problems, which can be detrimental to existing heart conditions.

Disturbed sleep: For cardiac patients, sleep disturbances due to acid reflux or discomfort can have a negative impact on overall heart health.

Stomach vs. Back: People who sleep on their backs may be more prone to sleep apnea. People who suffer from this problem may have high blood pressure and arrhythmias, which are directly linked to heart risk. In this case, sleeping with a full stomach doesn't have much effect.

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Right vs. Left: Sleeping on the left side can be uncomfortable for heart failure patients. On the other hand, sleeping on the right side is usually comfortable but in severe cases may indicate poor heart function.