“In heart failure patients, lateral sleep positions — on the side, left or right — can often decrease sleep apnea.” It's controversial whether the left or right side is best, says Khayat. If you have an implanted defibrillator, sleep on the opposite side.
People who fall asleep between 10 and 11 p.m. may be less likely to develop heart disease than those who start their slumber earlier or later, according to a new study. For the study, more than 88,000 people ages 45 to 79 wore devices on their wrists that tracked when they fell asleep and woke up for one week.
Sleep on your right side to protect your heart
Sleeping on the left side isn't a problem if you don't have underlying heart issues. But for people with congestive heart failure and other heart issues, it can cause discomfort and even breathing difficulties.
There can be many different reasons, ranging from the breathlessness John experienced (which is often worse at night), to trouble getting comfortable after heart surgery (it's fine to sleep in any position that works for you).
Your doctor will recommend sleeping on your back, which allows your head, neck, and spine to be aligned properly, thereby reducing the pressure of the chest and heart. However, if it becomes a little difficult to get in or out of the bed, make sure that you have enough support (pillows) for an easier transition.
Ensure they are comfortable – for example, sitting on the floor and leaning against a chair or a wall. Sitting will ease the strain on the heart. Sitting them on the floor also means they are less likely to hurt themselves if they collapse.
Warning signs and symptoms of heart failure include shortness of breath, chronic coughing or wheezing, swelling, fatigue, loss of appetite, and others.
Patients with congestive heart failure have a high incidence of sudden cardiac death that is attributed to ventricular arrhythmias.
However, life expectancy for a person with CHF has substantially improved over time. A person's age at diagnosis may impact prognosis. The authors report that the 5-year survival rate for people under 65 years of age was around 79%, while the rate was about 50% for those 75 and over.
In general, about half of all people diagnosed with congestive heart failure will survive 5 years. About 30% will survive for 10 years. In patients who receive a heart transplant, about 21% of patients are alive 20 years later.
Specifically, sleeping on the side or back is considered more beneficial than sleeping on the stomach. In either of these sleep positions, it's easier to keep your spine supported and balanced, which relieves pressure on the spinal tissues and enables your muscles to relax and recover.
According to their internal body clock, most older adults need to go to sleep around 7 p.m. or 8 p.m. and wake up at 3 a.m. or 4 a.m. Many people fight their natural inclination to sleep and choose to go to bed several hours later instead.
What time of day is a heart attack most likely to happen? “Most heart attacks hit during the early morning hours from 4 – 10 am when blood platelets are stickier, and there is increased adrenaline released from the adrenal glands that can trigger rupture of plaques in coronary arteries,” said Dr.
Sleep apnea is linked to a host of heart risks, including diabetes, hypertension, arrhythmia, obesity, stroke, and heart failure. Most people need seven to nine hours of good-quality sleep per night. “Even an extra 15 minutes can make a huge difference,” Salas says.
Symptoms of heart failure
breathlessness after activity or at rest. feeling tired most of the time and finding exercise exhausting. feeling lightheaded or fainting. swollen ankles and legs.
These are the common symptoms of end-stage heart failure: pain. breathlessness on minimal exertion or at rest. persistent cough.
As a result, people with heart failure often feel weak (especially in their arms and legs), tired and have difficulty performing ordinary activities such as walking, climbing stairs or carrying groceries.
Warning signs that occur a month beforehand could be chest discomfort, fatigue, and shortness of breath.
Change your sleep position.
“In heart failure patients, lateral sleep positions — on the side, left or right — can often decrease sleep apnea.” It's controversial whether the left or right side is best, says Khayat. If you have an implanted defibrillator, sleep on the opposite side.
If your heart is racing at night, you should: Breathe deeply: Try pursed lip breathing techniques, which involve long, deep breaths. You can also meditate and try other relaxation techniques to reduce stress. Drink a glass of water: If you're dehydrated, your heart has to work harder to pump blood.
Sitting up and leaning forward tends to ease the pain, while lying down and breathing deep worsens it. Some people describe the pain as a dull ache or pressure in their chest. The chest pain may feel like a heart attack. If you experience chest pain, call 911 right away because you may be having a heart attack.