Which side should you sleep on if you have high blood pressure?
“Sleeping on the left side can increase circulation and is often recommended for those with heart disease or high blood pressure. This position allows for better oxygenation of the body, which may help improve cardiovascular health,” Seeley said.
And sleeping on the left side is best because it keeps pressure off internal organs and promotes healthy blood flow.
standing. An older 2007 study found that, in 157 young students, standing resulted in the lowest blood pressure reading, compared with sitting or lying down. It is also typical for a person's blood pressure to drop when they move from a seated or lying position to a standing position.
The European Society of Cardiology²¹ recommends that people lay down and take naps during midday to help lower their pressure levels. Additionally, the American College of Cardiology claims that the average systolic blood pressure drops by about 3 mm Hg²² for each hour one lays down for a nap.
The best side to sleep on depends on your personal preference as well as the support of your mattress and pillow. Left side sleeping may benefit pregnant people or those who experience acid reflux, while right side sleeping may be preferred by people with heart conditions.
Some sleep experts think that sleeping on your right side could compress your vena cava. This is the vein that feeds into the right side of your heart. However, at this time there's no evidence that sleeping on your right side increases your risk of developing heart failure, and it seems to be safe.
- Take your blood pressure medication before you go to bed. ...
- Improve your sleeping habits. ...
- Avoid alcohol or coffee right before bedtime. ...
- Exercise earlier in the day, as opposed to very late in the evening.
Drinking water can help normalize blood pressure. If you are dehydrated, it can also help lower blood pressure. Drinking water is not a treatment for high blood pressure but it can help you sustain healthier blood pressure, whether you have hypertension or not.
- Apple juice. A recent scientific review showed that drinking apple juice in moderation provides heart-healthy advantages. ...
- Beet juice. ...
- Milk (low-fat or fat-free) ...
- Pomegranate juice. ...
- Water.
- Meditate or focus on deep breathing. Meditation and breathing exercises can help you relax, which slows your heart rate and lowers your blood pressure.
- Reduce your stress levels. ...
- Take a warm bath or shower.
How long should I sleep if I have high blood pressure?
Getting fewer than seven to nine hours of sleep each night increases your risk of developing high blood pressure, which is also called hypertension. If you already have hypertension, poor sleep quality might make the condition worse.
Your health care provider might recommend taking your blood pressure at the same times each day. Don't measure your blood pressure right after you wake up. You can prepare for the day, but don't eat breakfast or take medications before measuring your blood pressure.
Sleeping on the left side not only promotes a more restful sleep but, according to Ramadan, it has the potential to alleviate stomach and heartburn problems. “When we sleep on the left side, the stomach and its gastric juices remain lower than the esophagus thus reducing heartburn and digestive upsets,” Ramadan said.
Which side is the best to sleep on: Left or right? Sleeping on your left side is thought to have the most benefits to your overall health. Still, either side can offer benefits in terms of sleep apnea and chronic lower back pain relief. You don't have to stick with one side the entire night.
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 spine and enables your muscles to relax and recover.
If you sleep on your right side, the pressure of your body smashes up against the blood vessels that return to your ticker, but “sleeping on your left side with your right side not squished is supposed to potentially increase blood flow back to your heart.” And anything you can do to help your most important organ pump ...
Drink a glass of water: If you're dehydrated, your heart has to work harder to pump blood. Roll over or get up and walk around: A change of position might be all you need to relieve heart palpitations. Try rolling over in bed, sitting up or going for a short walk around the room while taking deep breaths.
A different sleep position: Elevating the head of the bed 30 degrees (6–9 inches) can help reduce supine hypertension by improving blood flow to the heart and reducing fluid buildup in the lungs.
Salty foods. High sodium consumption can elevate blood pressure. Many people eat too much sodium without realizing it. Highly processed foods and fast foods usually contain excessive amounts of sodium, often more than the 2,300 milligrams a person should consume daily.
The Bottom Line. Bananas are a nutritious and tasty option for helping lower blood pressure. Loaded with essential nutrients like potassium, fiber and vitamin C, bananas offer several benefits for cardiovascular health. Their potassium content counterbalances sodium intake, promoting blood vessel relaxation.
Does lemon water bring your blood pressure down?
Infused Water
Adding a little flavor can not only make getting your eight glasses a day easier, it can also add some additional benefits. Citrus, such as lemon and limes, has been shown to reduce blood pressure and has the added benefit of adding a little flavor to a boring glass of water.
- Alcohol.
- Energy drinks.
- Caffeinated drinks.
- Soft drinks.
You can try breathing exercises and drinking water to help lower your blood pressure within 5 minutes. But you may also need to call 911 or seek emergency medical help. A blood pressure emergency occurs when your blood pressure reaches 180/120 or above. This can happen with or without causing symptoms.
The top drinks for lowering blood pressure include water, fruit juices (pomegranate, prune, cranberry, cherry), vegetable juice (tomato, raw beet), tea (black, green), and skim milk.
People are generally advised to not drink too much coffee because caffeine can raise blood pressure. However, coffee also contains certain compounds which can lower blood pressure. This study provides evidence that moderate coffee consumption could be safe for those with hypertension.
