Hi I found when I go to bed, if I lay on my left side first I go into AF most nights. Now I found if I lay on my right side for 5 min then move to the left I don't go into AF. Now I've been AF free for over a month by this small adjustment when going to bed.
Has anyone else experienced this?
If I turn on my left side in bed at any time, I immediately become aware of my heart thumping and AF. So now I only ever lay or sleep on my right.
Jean
Well they always did say lay on your left side if you have trouble breathing and right side for your heart - maybe that’s true?
The clue is when you have an Echo scan the doctors lie you on left side as the Heart comes closer to your chest. I get PVC if I lie on my left side but not on my right. Not heard about going into AF though when lying on left side but I guess were all different here 
There is definitely a link Dave. I take Flecainide and have had no AF in over 7 years but if I want to lie on my left side, I have to lie propped up slightly on my back first, otherwise I have a racy heart. Haven't tried the right-side trick but it makes sense. I think minchern has it right regarding the effect of the position of the heart.
Yes, I can not sleep on my left any more, either on my right side, stomach or sitting up are the only positions that allow rest...
Yes, I have gone in A-Fib once or twice by laying on my left side.
Yes left side was a trigger so now put 2 pillows there to stop me turning onto that side. I also find I need an extra pillow under my head.
Yes, most definitely. I stay away from my left side as much as possible.
Yes, I too find it uncomfortable to lie on my left side. I just can’t lie that way since having an ablation done for WPWS May 2021. Thank you for posting as my consultant just looks blank when I roll off symptoms!
Yes, I usually lay on right side for a while then turn very slowly onto my left. It usually works but not always. If someone gives me a bear hug and squeezes too hard on the left side it also affects my heart.
Yes that does happen to me. Not necessarily full AF but certainly aware of thumping. As I have a bad back I don’t always find it easy to stay on my right so if I do turn on my left I wriggle so slightly turn towards my back. Hope that makes senseHappy sleeping!!
Yes! I can sometimes lay on my left side if I've taken bisoprolo within the hour. Another handy tip, before bed I lay on my back and put my legs up the wall to drain fluids for about fifteen minutes. I find this helps my heart to be settled during the night and mostly I don't need to get up in the night to pee.
Hello! Definitely notice my heart changing rhythm when lying on my left side. Now you mention it - if I lay on my right for a while then turn it doesn't always set it off! I'll pay more attention to that!
Yep. I first went into, what I now know was AF, when lying on my left side to sleep. I’ve had 2 ablations since and I am in sinus mode. I am prone to going into AF during times of stress, or drinking alcohol. A real pest .However with varying degrees of taking Bisoprolol and Flecanaide as PIPs. Now though taking them full time until next check-up with electro-cardiologist. I sleep on my right side or back. Jane.
Well if anything I hope this helps some people figure out what can cause you to go into AF when going to bed. It's definitely helped reduce my AF attacks when going to bed :), no bedtime AF since the 14th Dec 21 . Fingers crossed my 1st ablation fixes the problem once and for all on the 10th feb.
Yep. I recently jumped onto my bed on my left side and went straight into AFIB. To the ER I went.
Now that I’m on Flec, I can lay on my left side! Before it I’d get PVCs.
I've been on 100mg flec twice a day for 7 years but now I feel its stopped working. Good luck
Hi. I read that it s best to sleep on left.My enlarged heart but within normal limits has positioned itself more to the left. As ribcage sticks out on the left.
Cheers JOY
I have found that if I lie on my back I often have an episode but if I lie on my right side I am usually OK. I think elements of stress play a part with me. If I am not totally at rest it makes a difference
Prior to my PVI cryoablation (Aug. 2018), laying on my left side for only a few minutes would trigger PACs and ultimately AF. Since having the ablation I no longer have AF episodes (or PACs) and I can sleep in any position I want, without fear of AF starting up. In my opinion.. laying on one's left side positions the pulmonary veins in such a way that rogue signals from within the veins have an easier time 'influencing' the left atrium.
Yes, for sure laying on left side was a trigger, but unfortunately not my only trigger. Afib free for 2 years since ablation, I can now sleep on both sides again, but I always start on the right. I can still get a couple flip flops when I first lay down.
No, but I do have to get rid of the overblanket at some stage during the night to prevent me getting too hot, which seems to sometimes trigger AF
I sleep flat on my back but I have an adjustable bed so I put the head up a little. Sometimes I sleep on my right. It feels very uncomfortable to stay on my left since I am aware of the beating of my heart. Adjustable beds are expensive but I think they are well worth the money. The legs can go up as well and you can set the bed anyway you want. Mine even vibrates! Anything to get a good night's sleep as lack of sleep can cause problems.
Always happens when I lie on my left side! I'm so glad I'm not the only one
Hi! Thank goodness sleeping on my left doesn’t bring on AFib, but I’m so much more aware of my heartbeat that I tend to avoid it if I can!
hi dave i hope this continues to work for you, but 1 month is a short time to be absolutely sure, i dont mean to sound negative.
Hi no i'm not free of AF but it helps not to bring it on. I'm having my 1st ablation on the 10th of feb so fingers crossed that fixes it for good.
good luck with your ablation
Thank you all so much. When I speak to the cardio team of these sorts of symptoms, they look at me blankly. Seeing what you all explain I realise all my ‘ strange symptoms ‘ are experienced by many of you which, I’m sure, help us all cope.
It’s so good to see this information about sleeping on the left side, I too have racing heart on left side but thought it was just me! So happy to know it isn’t, thanks to everyone who commented.
You may like to check out this article.healthline.com/health/sleep...
Yes, I avoid lying on my left side for the reason you and others describe.
Going abroad on holiday with AF!?
Preferred sleeping side
AF side effects
