Which Sleep Position is Best for Heart Health? Experts Weigh In

A good night's sleep helps one recover-- both physically and mentally-- after a long and tiring day. Sleep also has many benefits-- it restores energy, boosts immunity, improves mental clarity, focus, and memory, regulates hormones, supports heart health, and reduces stress and inflammation.
A 2018 study titled 'Sleep and Cardiovascular Disease: Emerging Opportunities for Psychology' reads, 'Sleep plays a key role in both the development and progression of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Specifically, short sleep duration and insomnia, alone or in combination, are associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, after adjusting for other key risk factors. Inflammation, ANS dysfunction, and metabolic dysfunction represent plausible physiological mechanisms through which disturbed sleep affects CVD'.
So, is there a sleeping position which is better suited for heart patients? Let's find out:

Sleeping on your left side, also called the left lateral position, may help reduce acid reflux and thus be helpful for heart patients. Since gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is linked to higher risks of heart problems-- like coronary heart disease-- minimising acid reflux can help support heart health.

But, a 2018 study titled "Lying position classification based on ECG waveform and random forest" found that sleeping on the left-side can slightly shift the heart’s position due to gravity, thus affecting its electrical activity. And so, people who have heart health issued, this can trigger complications or worsen symptoms.

The 2018 study "Lying position classification based on ECG waveform and random forest" further highlighted that he heart is more stable and ECG changes are minimal in a person when they sleep on their right-side.

According to Healthline, 'Sleeping on your right side may be the best option for people with heart failure. Although some people think sleeping on your right side could restrict blood flow back to the heart, there’s not enough evidence to prove that it’s harmful.' It also states, 'If you have an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD), you may find it more comfortable to sleep on the opposite side that it’s implanted. Most ICDs are located on the left side'.

Sleeping on the back, also called the supine position, is generally not advised for heart patients as it can lead to airway obstruction, thus adversely affecting people with sleep apnea. This could lead to decreased oxygen levels during sleep, which can be fatal in certain cases.

An article on the American Heart Association's website highlights sleep apnea is worsened in people who sleep on their backs, thus causing increased cardiovascular risks.
Meanwhile, a 2025 study also shows that positional obstructive sleep apnea mainly happens in people who sleep in the supine position (on their backs), with remarkable cardiovascular risks.

People who have heart issues are generally discouraged from sleeping on their stomachs. While it isn’t directly linked to heart attacks, this position can lead to difficulty in breathing and even put pressure on the spine, thus indirectly affecting one's cardiovascular health. According to Healthline, sleeping on the stomach can also negatively impact the spinal alignment, which can cause neck pain and discomfort, thus disrupting one's sleep — which is important for maintaining good heart health.

While these research can give a fair idea about the sleep positions one should have or avoid for better health, heart patients should consult their doctor before following any particular one.
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Disclaimer: The information presented in this article has been compiled from multiple media and research sources. This content is intended for general awareness and should not be taken as medical advice or a definitive scientific conclusion.]