Best Sleeping Position for AFib

[mav7]

Subject may have been discussed but could not find recent posts. Have been having problems sleeping and noticed heart rate is higher than it should be (85). Search results.

Right lateral position is proven to be most effective. Left lateral seems to trigger AFib. Problem is if you are like me you turn in your sleep.

Two studies. Lot more info on "google" if interested.

(excerpt)

Background: Because stretch of the atrial myocardium is proarrhythmic for atrial fibrillation (AF) and a left lateral body position increases atrial dimensions in humans, we hypothesized that left lateral recumbence is a frequent AF-triggering body position in AF patients.

frontiersin.org/articles/10...

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl....

[Desanthony]

They do say lay on your left for lung problems and right for heart but if you have AFIB and lung problems you’re done for 🤣.

[Buffafly in reply to Desanthony]

And left for reflux too 😤

[bassets in reply to Desanthony]

Thats me

[belindalore in reply to Desanthony]

Geez. We're all a mess aren't we!? 😱😂

[sassy59]

Very interesting mav. I tend to sleep on my right side but wear earplugs at night and can hear my heart beating. Not keen I must say.

[Threecats]

Definitely found lying on my left side was a trigger for AF. I actually sleep on my back now, as I found the right side started causing problems too🙄 If that becomes a problem I give up😄

[Gumbie_Cat]

I’ve always preferred falling asleep on my left side, and can feel a bit queasy sleeping on my right. Guess I should try to change, but it’s difficult - and we do move around anyway.

[mjames1]

Right seems better for afib unless you have GERD triggered afib like me, where the left works better.

The "Night Shift" is simple device you wear around your neck that can "train" you to sleep on one side or another by sending out vibrations and/or sound if you try and turn. It was designed for sleep apnea primarily to keep people off their back, but also has settings to keep you off your back and either the right or left side.

Also has a "tracking" mode where it let's you sleep however you want but generates a report on how much time you spend on your back, right and left side respectively as well a "snore" score. Very ingenious and I have one in a drawer somewhere from years ago when I was doing home sleep apnea experiments!

nightshifttherapy.com/ns-home/

Jim

[Threecats in reply to mjames1]

The “Night Shift” sounds a good idea. When looking into sleep apnoea solutions a while back I read that taping a tennis ball to your back works wonders in keeping you on your side, too! Removal might be a bit painful if you don’t wear pyjamas though😳😄

[secondtry in reply to mjames1]

Interesting thanks for letting us know.

[secondtry]

Left side is for most the AF side; I put 2 extra pillows on that side to stop me rolling over....I think it works! I find most comfort on my back but it may increase my sleep apnoea. I also have 3 pillows under my head principally to combat SA.

[Anxiousarabella]

It is very interesting. I have PAF and I always slept on my left hand side. Often waking up with my heart racing. I do have very mild sleep apnea - they don’t treat me for that. I also read to sleep on my right hand side and since I have been doing that - I have slept so much better! My sleep score on my Fitbit has improved so much. I am very overweight. I think this is worth a go!

[belindalore]

I find the right side is best for me. I can do the left side for a short time if I put my left arm out straight even with my shoulder and not entirely on my left side. But not for long. Or on my back. With two pillows under my head and back so I'm not flat. I need one of those foam triangles to put under my head and back. But inflation is killing me to spend much money. 😕So I have to improvise.

[javo123j]

Right is best for me. I've noticed afib attacks when on my left side

[LaceyLady]

I’d slept in my left for as long as I can remember, but read that it made you feel worse. The heart sits slightly left, so taught myself to sleep on my right, not easy but have got more used to it now. Snoring, I found ‘snore Lab’ on my apps and that is really useful.

[Madscientist16]

I have always been a side sleeper, before and after my AF diagnosis. No issues for me.