What’s the Best Sleeping Position for Vascular Health?

Most people we know have a favorite sleeping position: some lie on their backs, others on their stomachs, and many more choose to sleep on their sides. Now, each of these positions can come with some plusses and minuses. But did you know that sleeping on your side could be the best choice when it comes to your vascular health? Here’s what you need to know.

The Benefits of a Left Side Sleeping Position

While many pregnant women are advised to sleep on their left side, this sleeping position could actually benefit men and women at any stage of life. Here are some of the advantages:

Reduces Heartburn

When sleeping on your side, you can reduce your risk for acid reflux and heartburn because this position limits the volume of stomach acid that can reach your esophagus. Sleeping on the left side is even better for this purpose, because your stomach is positioned on that side of the body.

Supports Digestion

When you sleep on your side, digestion may improve because the position supports the movement of food from the stomach to the large intestine and colon. When you choose a left side sleeping position, things will get even better because your pancreas will be optimally positioned to produce digestion-supporting enzymes.

Better Breathing

By sleeping on your side, your breathing patterns may improve, reducing your risk for snoring.

Moving Lymph Fluid

You may help reduce swelling (edema) or even improve lymphedema when you choose a left side sleeping position—it helps encourage lymphatic fluid drainage, and may also boost the performance of your lymph nodes.

Better Circulation and Boosted Vascular Health

Side sleeping helps support improved circulation, reducing your risk for varicose veins. Left side sleeping reduces pressure on the Vena Cava, making it easier for blood to travel from your lower extremities and back to your heart. And, when you’re pregnant, sleeping on your left side can help minimize the pressure your expanding uterus places on surrounding organs such as your liver, helping your body function optimally during this period of time.

Now, it’s important to remember: while choosing an optimal sleep position can support vascular health, it’s unlikely to reverse existing health concerns. So, if you’ve been developed signs of vein disease such as varicose veins, you’ll likely need more than a nap to help restore optimal health. Instead, we encourage you to request a consultation with the team at Georgia Endovascular. Together, we can explore minimally-invasive procedures to restore your vein health to its optimal condition.