What side should you lay on to lower blood pressure

HIGH blood pressure is a common condition in which the long-term force of the blood against your artery walls is high enough that it may eventually cause health problems, such as heart disease. Many may give little care to how your sleep could impact your risk with the best and worst sleeping positions explained.

By Jessica Knibbs

08:24, Thu, May 5, 2022 | UPDATED: 15:15, Thu, May 5, 2022

Link copied

Dr Chris Steele shares diet tips on reducing blood pressure

SUBSCRIBE Invalid email

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info

High blood pressure (hypertension) is one of the most important risk factors for cardiovascular disease. If your blood pressure is too high, it can damage your blood vessels and cause a number of potentially life-threatening conditions. How you sleep can have a major influence on your reading.

  • What side should you lay on to lower blood pressure
    Erectile dysfunction can signal two life-threatening conditions

  • What side should you lay on to lower blood pressure
    Diabetes: The six best types of bread for controlling blood sugar

While asleep, sleep apnoea triggers the brain to pump more blood to key areas such as the brain and heart.

This puts added pressure on your artery walls and spikes your blood pressure higher than if you were breathing normally while asleep.

Sudden drops in blood oxygen levels that occur during sleep apnoea increase blood pressure and strain the cardiovascular system.

Additionally, having obstructive sleep apnoea increases a person’s risk of hypertension complications.

What side should you lay on to lower blood pressure

High blood pressure: Sleeping positions increasing sleep apnoea and hypertension risk (Image: Getty Images)

“Sleep apnoea is a sleep disorder that causes numerous lapses in breathing during sleep,” says the Sleep Foundation.

The health site adds: “There are two types of sleep apnoea: obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) and central sleep apnoea (CSA).

“OSA is marked by episodes of airway collapse, which blocks airflow into the lungs and often causes snoring and gasping during sleep.

“In CSA, breathing lapses occur because of a lack of communication between the brain and the muscles involved in breathing.”

Trending

READ MORE

  • What side should you lay on to lower blood pressure
    Cancer: Milk thistle could help prevent the disease

Medicover Hospitals says: “Most adults stay in bed without giving a second thought to how they’re located. It is such a routine habit that many do not consider the health effects of sleeping in one way or another

“But sleep researchers and doctors say our sleeping position is important.

“Sleeping on your stomach, back or side can make a difference in snoring, sleep apnoea, neck and back pain, and other medical conditions.”

What side should you lay on to lower blood pressure

High blood pressure: The less sleep disturbances you have the lower your reading (Image: Getty Images)

READ MORE

  • What side should you lay on to lower blood pressure
    Oral health: Mouth ulcers could signal vitamin deficiency

Sleeping on the left side has been said to be the best sleeping position for hypertension because it relieves blood pressure on blood vessels that return blood to the heart.

Back pain can also cause significant sleep disturbances therefore avoiding any sleeping positions which puts strain on this area should be avoided.

“Resting on your side, with your back mostly straight, can help to reduce sleep apnoea,” adds Medicover.

“It can also cause pain in the neck and back since your spine stays aligned.”

  • What side should you lay on to lower blood pressure
    Statins side effects: 'Memory problems' reported

  • What side should you lay on to lower blood pressure
    Statins side effects: Drug could affect mental health

Alongside better sleep hygiene, watching your diet is imperative when attempting to lower your reading and avoiding cardiovascular health complications.

Does lying on your right side help lower your blood pressure?

We recommend sleeping on the right side since it may be the key to a healthier heart. Studies suggest it reduces pressure on the heart and stabilizes your blood pressure and heart rate.

Should you lay down if your blood pressure is high?

Lower blood pressure while lying down makes sense when you think of your heart as a pump. When you're lying down, most parts of your body are at the same level as your heart. Because of this, your heart doesn't have to work as hard to circulate blood throughout your body.

What position will lower blood pressure?

Results: The blood pressure tended to drop in the standing position compared with the sitting, supine and supine with crossed legs. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure was the highest in supine position when compared the other positions.

How can I quickly lower my blood pressure?

There's no quick and safe way to lower blood pressure outside of a medical setting. Lifestyle changes that incorporate exercise, diet, and stress-reducing techniques can naturally lower blood pressure over time.