Depth of pillow?

[howisshe]

Would I be correct in thinking a lower pillow at night is likely to increase my heart rate?

[Tako2009]

Hi. I’m not sure but I know that propping myself up on two or three pillows helps reduce the night time flutters and PAF episode I sometimes get. More likely to experience them when lying flat. Liz

[wilsond in reply to Tako2009]

Me too!

[CDreamer]

Lowers mine but that’s because I have low BP. I often sleep without a pillow at all because of migraines and wonky neck.

[jennydog]

My osteopath told me that it was important to use 2 good pillows so that when you are lying on your side your head is at right angles to your shoulder. I have never quite worked out how that effects you when you are lying on your back.

[Finvola]

I have found that propping myself up on an extra pillow helps when I have ectopics or racing heart - it seems to make it easier for me to breathe, so it might be lowering my heart rate.

[etheral in reply to Finvola]

If you breathe easier propped up you are probably in congestive heart failure. This should be discussed with your doctor.

[Finvola in reply to etheral]

Not so, thank goodness - had lung function tests and BNP - all normal. I find any heart gymnastics make me short of breath but in NSR I have no problems.

[BobD Volunteer]

I can't think that it can. Your heart rate is generally set by your activity or mental state so rest should allow a low rate and exercise or stress will increase it. Dreams, especially stressful ones, can cause increased heart rates as can suddenly waking up. Position should not. Blood pressure I think would be likely to be lower when flat as the heart has less work to do lifting blood to and from extremities. One should always take BP with cuff at heart level.

[jedimasterlincoln]

I once got asked by the A&E consultant how many pillows I used to sleep with, not why he asked or what relation to my AF episode it was. It was just before he suggested doing carotid stimulation to try and get me back to NSR.

[Izzle]

I like to have a raised head and chest when sleeping as a preventative action for reflux. Reflux is one of my AF triggers.

Alan

[heartmatters1 in reply to Izzle]

This is just what I was going to say

[eleanor--1941]

I read a tip a few years ago and tried it out 2yrs ago and have not had AF since (touch wood). (I have had AF 20yrs.)

Sleep on 3 good pillows,first pillow,lay about 5/6ins from Headboard,this supports neck and shoulders.

2nd/3rd pillows to Headboard,try to sleep only on your right side,then you will not feel your heart beating through your chest on pillow,A real good sleep and no AF.I now sleep either sides without any problems.

Eleanor.X

[gragsdellforme in reply to eleanor--1941]

For years I have noticed I had palpitations when I lay on my left side, but none when I lay on my right side. Many doctors say this is not true, but a good cardiac nurse will tell you it is.