Sleeping on the left side may benefit people with GERD, but it may have negative effects on the heart. However, more research is needed to support these theories.
Sleeping on your left side may help people who experience acid reflux and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). A
There’s also some evidence that sleeping on your left side may have some negative effects on the heart.
In
In a more recent
When the participants slept on their right side, almost no change in ECG activity was found. The researchers found that in this position, the heart was held in place by the thin layer of tissue between the lungs called the mediastinum.
Researchers attributed the changes in electrical activity to the re-positioning of the heart. However, it’s worth noting that sleeping on the left side did not affect the heart’s electrical function but rather the collection of data. It is a phenomenon likely due to the testing apparatus and not the heart going into an off rhythm.
More research needs to be done to understand if sleeping on your left side is dangerous for people with heart conditions or how dangerous it may be.
There remains some controversy about whether sleeping on your left or right side is better for your heart. Some sleep experts think that sleeping on your right side could compress your vena cava. This is the vein that feeds into the right side of your heart.
However, at this time, there’s no evidence that sleeping on your right side increases your risk of developing heart failure, and it seems to be safe.
A
Also, a
Some doctors recommend that pregnant people sleep on their left side. This is because your liver is on the right side of your abdomen, and lying on your left side helps keep the uterus off that large organ.
That said, lying on your right side when pregnant makes your heart’s job easier because it keeps the fetus’ weight from applying pressure to the large vein (called the inferior vena cava) that carries blood back to the heart from your feet and legs to improve blood flow to the fetus.
If you’ve had heart failure, you should speak with your doctor about sleeping positions to avoid.
Sleeping on your right side may be the best option for people with heart failure. Although some people think sleeping on your right side could restrict blood flow back to the heart, there’s not enough evidence to prove that it’s harmful.
If you don’t have sleep apnea or breathing problems, sleeping on your back may also be an option.
Sleeping on your stomach may alleviate sleep apnea and snoring but can also cause neck or back pain. Untreated sleep apnea is associated with an
If you have an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD), you may find it more comfortable to sleep on the opposite side that it’s implanted. Most ICDs are located on the left side.
Anecdotally, some people have reported that sleeping with a wedge behind them or on a recliner helps with nighttime breathing.
If you’re experiencing shortness of breath when lying flat, talk with a doctor. If you’re
At this time, it’s still unclear what the best way to sleep is for your heart and overall health.
Anecdotally, many people with heart failure seem to find it more comfortable to sleep on their right side than on their left side. However, there’s very little scientific data that supports one way of sleeping over another
Research has confirmed that not getting enough sleep or getting poor quality sleep raises your risk of developing heart disease and other illnesses.
Making sure you stay well-rested is important for maintaining optimal heart health, no matter the position in which you sleep.