Hypertension or High Blood Pressure is one of the leading risk factors for cardiovascular disease, therefore it’s important to ensure that you’re sleeping in the correct position.
Many of us have high blood pressure, a condition in which blood pumps too violently against the artery walls, causing health concerns if not managed.
It’s also known as hypertension, and it’s one of the leading causes of cardiovascular disease.
As a result, it’s critical that we do everything we can to improve the situation – and how we sleep can be a big part of it.
Sleep apnoea is a respiratory disorder that produces frequent pauses.
It causes the brain to send more blood to vital organs including the brain and heart.
This increases the pressure on your artery walls and raises your blood pressure over what it would be if you were breathing normally.
During sleep apnoea, sudden reductions in blood oxygen levels raise blood pressure and put a load on the cardiovascular system.
Having obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) also raises the risk of hypertension problems.
“OSA is marked by episodes of airway collapse,” according to the Sleep Foundation, “which blocks airflow into the lungs and often causes snoring and gasping during sleep.
“In central sleep apnoea (CSA), breathing lapses occur because of a lack of communication between the brain and the muscles involved in breathing.”
Medicover Hospitals adds: “Most adults stay in bed without giving a second thought to how they’re actually positioned. 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’s the best way to sleep?
As it reduces blood pressure on blood vessels that return blood to the heart, it is believed that resting on the left side is the optimal sleeping posture for hypertension.
Back pain can disrupt sleep, therefore any sleeping postures that impose strain on this area should be avoided.
“Resting on your side, with your back mostly straight, can help to reduce sleep apnoea,” according to Medicover.
When it comes to lowering your reading and avoiding cardiovascular health concerns, keeping track of your food is vital.
Avoid these foods before bedtime and eat less of them during the day:
- Salty foods
- Sugary foods
- Red meat
- Alcohol
- Saturated fats
- Processed and pre-packaged foods
- Sugary drinks
- Condiments
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