Discover the best sleeping position to reduce the risk of high blood pressure, prevent cardiovascular disease

Many of us are living with high blood pressure – the pressure in which blood pushes against the artery walls when the heart pumps blood too much – which can cause serious health problems. health if not treated.

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is one of the risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Therefore, it is essential that we take steps to improve this condition, and in that, sleeping position can play an important role in reducing the risk of hypertension.

Improper sleeping position worsens sleep apnea

Sleep apnea is a severe sleep disorder in which breathing is interrupted, stopped for a period of more than 10 seconds, repeatedly, resulting in a lack of oxygen in the body.

This triggers the brain to pump more blood to vital areas like the brain and heart, which in turn puts extra pressure on the artery walls and causes blood pressure to rise higher than during normal breathing.

The sudden drop in blood oxygen levels due to sleep apnea causes blood pressure to rise and inflates the cardiovascular system. In addition, sleep apnea may increase the risk of complications from high blood pressure in some people.

There are two types of sleep apnea: Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and Central Sleep Apnea (CSA).

Sleep Foundation (United Kingdom) says: “OSA is marked by episodes of airway collapse, which block airflow to the lungs and often cause snoring and gasping during sleep. In CSA, apnea occurs because of a lack of communication between the brain and the muscles involved in breathing.”

Care provider Medicover Hospital (India) says: “Most of us lie down to sleep without even thinking about how sleeping can affect our health. It’s a daily routine that many people don’t consider the health effects of one way or another.

Sleep researchers and experts say that sleeping position is important. Lying on your stomach, back, or side can make a difference for snoring, sleep apnea, neck and back pain, and other medical conditions.”.

Best sleeping position to fight high blood pressure

Making sure you’re sleeping in an optimal position helps reduce pressure on the blood vessels that carry blood to the brain and heart because high blood pressure is one of the biggest risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

Sleeping on the left side is thought to be the best sleeping position for high blood pressure because it reduces pressure on the blood vessels that bring blood back to the heart.

Back pain can also cause sleep disturbances, so any sleeping position that puts stress on this part of the body should be avoided.

Medicover Hospital adds: “Lying on your side with your back straight can help with sleep apnea. Along with that, diet is also essential to avoid heart health complications.”

Some foods that should be avoided before bed and limited daily consumption include: Salty foods, high-sugar foods, red meat, alcohol, saturated fats, processed foods…