The only exception is that people with congestive heart failure or heart palpitations might benefit from sleeping on their right sides. Heart palpitations worsen when you sleep on your left side.
Try relaxation techniques, such as meditation, yoga or deep breathing. Avoid stimulants. Caffeine, nicotine, some cold medicines and energy drinks can make the heart beat too fast or irregularly. Avoid illegal drugs.
People who sleep on their side, particularly on the left side, may be more prone to heart palpitations at night.
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.
Some people get heart palpitations when they lay down because of their sleeping position. Sleeping hunched over on your side can increase pressure inside your body, which can cause palpitations. Other common causes of heart palpitations include: Alcohol consumption.
In general, the consensus seems to be that sleeping on your left side is better for most people. It may reduce GERD and sleep apnea more than sleeping on your right side. The only exception is that people with congestive heart failure or heart palpitations might benefit from sleeping on their right sides.
Heart palpitations can make someone feel like their heart is fluttering, racing, pounding, or skipping beats. Waking up with these sensations, or feeling them while trying to fall asleep, can be alarming. But heart palpitations are common at night, and in most cases they are not signs of a medical emergency.
Change your sleep position.
“In heart failure patients, lateral sleep positions — on the side, left or right — can often decrease sleep apnea.”
Why is it good to elevate your legs for sleep? Elevating your legs 6-12″ above your chest promotes optimal blood flow and also relieves the stress on the heart since it doesn't have to work so hard to circulate blood throughout your body (thank you, gravity!)
Most people get them because of anxiety. Other causes include: pregnancy, caffeine, alcohol or spicy food. Heart palpitations are common and usually aren't dangerous.
Stress, exercise, medication or, rarely, a medical condition can trigger them. Although heart palpitations can be worrisome, they're usually harmless. Rarely, heart palpitations can be a symptom of a more serious heart condition, such as an irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia), that might require treatment.
Sustained heart palpitations lasting more than 30 seconds are considered a medical emergency. They could indicate pre-existing heart diseases such as coronary artery disease or heart valve disorders.
Heart palpitations that are severe or go on for a long time could be signs or red flags of a serious heart problem that is a health emergency.
Causes of heart palpitations
lack of sleep. stress and anxiety. medicines (check the leaflet that comes with the medicine) alcohol, caffeine, nicotine and recreational drugs.
On your back. Yes, your sleep posture can also have an impact on how well you sleep when you have anxiety. It turns out that lying on your back when you sleep reduces anxiety the most. According to health professionals, sleeping on your back is the most balanced position for your backbone.
Resting on your side, with your back mostly straight, can help cut down on sleep apnea. It can also nix neck and back pain since your spine stays aligned. Make it better: Place a soft pillow or folded blanket or towel between your knees to ease pressure on your hips.
Heart failure symptoms can interfere with getting a good night's sleep. Lying flat in bed can make it harder to breathe and cause coughing. Propping up your head with a pillow may help, but the need to use two or more pillows may be a sign of worsening heart failure.
Research has also found that people with sleeping problems are more likely to complain of an irregular heartbeat. View Source . For these reasons, lack of sleep may be tied to heart palpitations.
Common Reasons Why You're Waking Up With Your Heart Racing
Diet — Sugar, caffeine, and alcohol (especially before bed) as well as dehydration can increase the risk of heart palpitations. Diabetes — Low blood sugar releases epinephrine in people with diabetes, which can cause a pounding heart.
If you're experiencing what feels like frequent or prolonged episodes of palpitations, or you're also having symptoms such as chest pain or dizziness when you have these episodes, it's a good idea to talk to your GP.
Palpitations can be a sign of a heart problem. This is more likely in men or people with heart disease. If your palpitations are frequent, worsening, or lasting more than five minutes, speak with your doctor about your symptoms.