Sleep is not just a time for the body to rest; it is also when the heart and blood vessels get a chance to recover from the demands of the day. For people living with heart disease, getting quality sleep is particularly important.
However, according to cardio-thoracic surgeon Dr Saurabh Juneja, the way a person sleeps can sometimes affect comfort, breathing and symptoms.
In an interaction with HT Lifestyle, Dr Juneja stated, “There is no single sleeping position that is best for every heart patient. The right position depends on the individual’s heart condition, breathing problems and symptoms. However, some positions may offer better comfort and help reduce breathing difficulties. For many heart patients, sleeping on the side can be a comfortable option. “In some cases, these symptoms may suggest that medical intervention for the heart condition is necessary. In the words of Dr Juneja, “No position is absolutely forbidden for all heart patients. For some, however, it’s not comfortable to sleep on the belly, especially if it causes pressure on the chest or breathing problems.”
Because it may feel more comfortable for some people, but it is not automatically the best position for everyone with heart disease, pointed out Dr Juneja, sleeping on the left side is often discussed.
Simple tips that the surgeon shared that can improve sleep comfort include: “When you regularly find it hard to breathe while you are sleeping, need a lot of pillows to get a comfortable sleep or feel short of breath shortly after lying down, it is not a matter of sleeping in the wrong position,” pointed out the surgeon.
