Left or right side

[Andyt36]

Left or right side

Can you remind me the effects of sleeping on the right and left and about differences people find in heart rate.

Thanks

[jeanjeannie50]

Hi Andy

I have to sleep on my right side as sleeping on my left never fails to put me in AF. Once when I thought my AF was totally cured (had about 5 months clear) I tried my left side and got away with one night, but on the second AF was back!

Most people say the right side is best, but just occasionally someone will say the left is better for them.

Jean

[HiloHairy in reply to jeanjeannie50]

My experience precisely echos her's.

[Vonnieruth]

I sleep on my left but then again I'm left handed so that's my dominant side Each is different I guess

[Hidden]

I sleep better on right side although I'm left handed, I used to get sessions of af , sleeping on left side but that has cleared up. The main problem I get is getting to sleep either side.

[Andyt36]

Just trying to figure out if stomach swelling, pressure on diaphragm etc has anything to do with left and right and AF.

[Madscientist16 in reply to Andyt36]

When I had terrible acid reflux from gastritis, my doctor recommended sleeping on the left side for better positioning of the stomach for digestion. I had much less acid reflux at night sleeping that way. I have no issues with AF sleeping on either side.

[Thomas45]

I have permanent AF and should therefore sleep on my right side. I start the night on my right side but during the night I may turn onto my back or left side. I started last night on my right side but have just woken up on my left side which I find is much more comfortable than being on my tight side.

[Kellyjelly]

How interesting, I sleep on my left and get lots of palpitations if I sleep on my right or on my back, I’m right handed.

[Paulbounce]

Hello Andy.

Personally I always lean more towards my right side. If your heart races a little at night you tend not to notice it as much IMO.

Best,

Paul

[Andyt36]

Thanks for the responses, so my next question is do any of you suffer from stomach swelling, etc could be ibs and the sleep position helps this too?

[jedimasterlincoln]

When I'm unstable or had recent treatment I tend to feel the HR is more intense when sleeping on my left.

[BobD Volunteer]

My own view is that it makes little difference. The problem is that if we sleep on our left then the weight of organs leaning on the heart is highest and any irregularities it produces are transfered to the rest of us more easiy. We don't get more AF at all just feel it more,.

[10gingercats in reply to BobD]

I sleep on either side and it does not seem to make any difference .I have thought ,foolishly, that i do not have Afib any more as any symptoms are rare.GP confirmed i am mistaken and that it is still with me....d,b. and bother!

[Bob56]

I have raised this with doctors before and they usually smile and clearly think it makes little difference which side you sleep on. For me, I always prefer sleeping on my back and as the other Bob says, I think you feel more conscious of your heart sleeping on the left. Funnily enough, I used to always sleep on my right side, but have felt less comfortable in this position since my ablation. In summary, it’s whatever works for you. Whenever I discuss this with my family they always look a bit bemused as none of them feel their hearts at all. Us AFers are a lot more conscious of our hearts and all the thuds and bumps that go with everyday life!

[Redders]

I feel more comfortable on my left side and I am left handed but I can sleep on my right side without much problem.

[Andyt36]

Thanks all, again I am trying to follow a trail of thought that has to do with organs, breathing, ibs, the organs e.g. heart getting enough oxygen, so an en example might be as earlier swollen stomach, pressure on diaphragm not enough oxygen to heart and other organs and therefore various potential outcomes.

[Love100cats]

I have a.f. and can only sleep on my left if I hug a pillow as it seems to keep my chest more expanded or open and eases breathing. Does tat make sense?

[Bob56 in reply to Love100cats]

It makes sense if it works for you .If I try to sleep on my left side, it helps if I place my hand on my chest roughly where my heart is. It has something of a cushioning effect I think and makes me feel safer. We are an odd bunch!!

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Bob56]

I sleep on my stomach with my right arm up and my left arm under my chest. How bad must that be!

[Jfjfern in reply to Love100cats]

I do this too I find it comfortable if I hug a Pillow , but can’t sleep on my left without it as it’s too uncomfortable

[Tobw]

I'm "celebrating" (!) the twelfth anniversary of my first episode of AF next week and, as someone who is right handed and right footed, I have come to the definite conclusion that I'm a lot less likely to go into fibrillation if I sleep on that side. However, overriding that is the fact that I believe when it is my time to have an episode (I had one last weekend and knew it was coming for a few hours beforehand), it doesn't matter what side I sleep on.

[Andyt36]

Thanks all, just another addition when you say you sleep in a pillow and hug your left side is that under the rib cage or more central hope it is clear