Are you also suffering from peripheral artery disease and having trouble sleeping? Do you want to know the perfect position for sleeping comfortably with this disease? Fred, we will help you get a good night’s sleep with this condition.
The best three sleeping positions for peripheral artery disease include leg elevation, sleeping on your back, and side sleeping. We will share everything about these positions in detail below. Moreover, we will also share other sleeping and lifestyle tips to help you get a good night’s sleep.
Following the shared instructions in this guide will enable you to sleep peacefully. Let’s quickly get into its details without wasting time.
Top 3 Recommended Sleeping Positions For Peripheral Artery Disease
There are three recommended sleeping positions for people with this disease. Follow the most suitable one according to your comfort. Let’s check out the details of these positions.
Leg Elevation
The first one we have is leg elevation. Leg elevation can also help you sleep with peripheral artery disease. It is because you feel pain in your legs sometimes with this condition. This pain can also disturb your sleep. Elevating your legs can provide comfort from this pain and help you sleep quickly. Pillows are also suitable for this purpose.
Sleeping On Your Back With An Elevated Head
Elevating the head while lying on the back can aid in improving blood flow to the lower extremities. By creating a slight incline with pillows under the head, shoulders, and upper back, gravity assists in facilitating circulation, reducing pressure on the arteries in the legs. This position may help alleviate symptoms such as leg pain and discomfort, providing a more comfortable sleep experience.
Side Sleeping
Side sleeping is generally considered the best sleeping position for peripheral artery disease among all. This position helps alleviate pressure on the arteries in the legs and may improve blood flow to the heart. Placing a pillow between the knees while side sleeping promotes proper spine alignment and reduces strain on the lower back and hips. Side sleeping thus offers potential relief from PAD symptoms and contributes to a restful night’s sleep.
Other Sleeping Tips For Peripheral Artery Disease
Alongside sleeping tips for peripheral artery disease, you must take care of your sleep environment as well. A sleep-friendly environment can also help you sleep quicker. Here are some tips for better sleep hygiene.
Investing In Quality Pillows And Mattresses
The first tip are the two basic accessories that you need for sleeping. These include a pillow and mattress. Invest more in them and get comfortable ones. These should neither be too hard nor too soft.
Avoid Sleeping On Your Stomach.
The next one is prevention. Don’t sleep on your stomach if you have peripheral artery disease. It is because this condition can cause pain in your spine or neck. You may place pillows or blankets at your side to prevent it.
Maintain A Comfortable Sleep Environment:
Last but not least is your sleep environment. Create a sleep-friendly environment by keeping your bedroom dark, quiet, and at a comfortable temperature. Ensure there is no exposure to blue or red lights or other disturbances.
Lifestyle Tips To Sleep Better: Peripheral Artery Disease
To improve the quality of your sleep, you need much more than just your sleeping position. Following these tips will definitely help you with peripheral artery disease. Here are some practical lifestyle tips for you:
- Maintain a Healthy Diet: The first tip is to eat healthy. You can do so by eating a balanced diet low in saturated fats and high in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
- Regular Exercise: The next one is regular exercise. While PAD may limit mobility, regular, moderate exercise can be very helpful. It improves circulation and reduces symptoms.
- Manage Stress: The next and very important one is stress management. Stress can worsen the symptoms of PAD and disturb your sleep. Techniques like deep breathing, meditation, or yoga can be helpful for this purpose.
- Medication management: Another practical tip is medication management. Consult your doctor and take the necessary medications properly to manage symptoms such as pain, inflammation, etc. that can affect your sleep.
- Quit Smoking: The next item on our list is smoking. Smoking narrows blood vessels and worsens PAD symptoms. Reducing nicotine intake can improve blood flow and your sleep quality. Moreover, it is beneficial for your overall health as well.
- Limit Caffeine and Alcohol: The last tip to sleep well with peripheral artery disease is to reduce your stimulant use. Avoid caffeine and alcohol, especially before bedtime.
Final Words
There are three recommended positions if you’re suffering from PAD. Side sleeping is the best sleeping position for peripheral artery disease, according to our suggestion. You may also try the other two if you are not comfortable with them for any other reason.
Moreover, your general sleep hygiene and lifestyle can also affect your sleep quality. Manage them carefully and make the necessary changes if needed. Lastly, consult your doctor if you don’t get any results even after trying these methods.
