We all know how essential good-quality sleep is for our heart health. Experts recommend getting 7-8 hours of sleep every day, but in addition to that, it is also important to get a restful sleep. According to the American Heart Association (AHA), poor sleep can cause Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) risk factors, including obesity, high blood pressure, and diabetes. Additionally, not sleeping enough can negatively affect diet, stress, and other lifestyle factors that can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Interestingly, your heart health can not only be influenced by your sleep health, but can also be affected by your sleep position. Speaking with the OnlyMyHealth team, Dr Sanjoy Sen Gupta, Consultant Cardiologist, Fortis Hospital, Anandapur, sheds light on the connection and shares which is the most (and least) preferred sleeping position for your heart.
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The Most Optimal Sleeping Position For Heart Health![]()
Although there is currently no research to firmly support the idea that one's sleeping position affects one's heart health, Dr Gupta suggests that sleeping positions do matter for those who already have certain CVDs like heart failure.
According to him, sleeping on the right side is the most preferred sleeping position, particularly for patients with heart failures. This is because sleeping on the right side reduces pressure on the heart and lungs as compared to the left side, in which the lungs are compressed, decreasing the overall respiratory efficiency, he explains.
In addition, a 2018 study published in the journal Echocardiography examined the impact of different sleeping positions—left, right, and supine—on heart function in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy, a type of heart muscle disease.
Researchers found that right-side sleeping was associated with better heart function, as measured by various echocardiographic parameters.
However, more research is needed to assess the benefits and risks of sleeping on the right side for heart health.
Is Sleeping On Your Back Safe?![]()
“Sleeping on your back may not be a risk factor for heart health unless one suffers from sleep apnoea or other respiratory problems,” says Dr Gupta.
He explains that this position may trigger sleep apnoea and snoring, which can have a negative impact on general cardiovascular health by disrupting breathing while sleeping.
Sleep apnoea, which is a common sleep disorder, is significantly more common in India than previously reported, revealed a 2023 study published in the ERJ Open Research journal.
The comprehensive study involving 727 participants in India found a significantly higher prevalence of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) than previously reported in Western countries.
Approximately 32.5% of the Indian participants exhibited moderate-to-severe OSA, as defined by an apnoea-hypopnea index (AHI) of 15 or higher, highlighting the need for increased awareness and early diagnosis of OSA in the Indian population.
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Least Recommended Sleeping Position For Heart Health![]()
“The left-side sleeping positions are least recommended for the patients with poor heart health,” reveals Dr Gupta, adding that sleeping on the stomach is also not recommended, as it can further stress the neck and spine.
While this sleeping position is generally not considered a risk factor for heart disease or other cardiovascular problems for healthy people, it is said to cause discomfort and breathing difficulties for people with congestive heart failure or other heart issues.
According to a 2018 study published in the BioMedical Engineering OnLine, researchers analysed electrocardiogram (ECG) data from a group of participants and found that lying on the left side significantly alters ECG patterns compared to lying on the right or supine.
These changes are likely due to the impact of gravity on the heart's position, the researchers noted, suggesting that it is important to consider sleeping position as a potential factor in managing and improving heart health. The findings suggest that individuals with heart failure may benefit from adopting the right lateral decubitus position (RLDP) to optimise their cardiovascular function and alleviate symptoms.
In general, sleeping on the left side is said to benefit people who suffer from acid reflux or Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD).