by Karen Heslop
A poorly functioning heart and a lack of sleep often go hand in hand. Heart failure, in particular, can significantly affect how well you sleep. To make things worse, not getting enough sleep can worsen the symptoms of heart failure. If you work with your doctor and implement a few changes to your routine, however, you can stop this cycle in its tracks.
Common Ways That Heart Failure Affects Your Sleep
Heart failure makes it difficult to sleep for four main reasons. First, people with heart failure may need to get up more frequently at night to use the bathroom.
Second, the chest pains and discomfort that are associated with heart failure can make it difficult to get to sleep.
Third, many people with heart failure experience shortness of breath when they lie down at night.
Finally, fluid retention can be an issue. While the fluid that builds up in your body will settle in your feet during the day, it’s more likely to be found in your chest when you lie down. This fluid then causes pressure in your chest, making it hard to breathe.
Sleep Disorders That Are Associated With Heart Failure
Apart from the typical issues that affect a good night’s sleep, research shows that heart failure can be associated with certain sleep disorders.
These disorders include insomnia and periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD), which is characterized by uncontrollable twitches in the limbs.
With heart failure, you also need to be concerned about two different forms of sleep apnea. The more common form is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which is said to affect up to 70% of people dealing with heart failure. In this form of sleep apnea, the muscles in the back of your throat collapse and block the airways, making it hard to breathe.
The less common form of sleep apnea is known as central sleep apnea (CSA) and involves a malfunction in the central nervous system where your brain doesn’t effectively handle your breathing patterns. This disorder results in people not breathing properly throughout the night and mostly affects those with severe heart failure.
Finally, you may deal with orthopnea. This disorder is caused by ventricular pressure and volume overload in the heart and results in shortness of breath.
How To Sleep Better With Heart Failure
Since there are areas of heart failure that are beyond your control, it’s important to talk to your doctor about medical options.
Many doctors prescribe diuretics to deal with the fluid retention that’s associated with heart failure so it’s a good place to start.
You should also ask your doctor if you need to see a sleep disorder specialist. Seeing a specialist can help you to pinpoint what’s affecting your sleep and get the right treatment. This can make a crucial difference if the disorder was present before your heart failure diagnosis.
Bear in mind that certain medications can affect your sleep so make sure to talk to your doctor about the potential side effects of any prescribed drugs.
With the medical aspects taken care of, you can focus on making bedtime more favorable to sleep. It’s best to practice relaxation exercises before bed, keep your room dimly lit, limit distracting sounds, and avoid alcohol as well as caffeine. According to health experts, keeping your feet elevated and avoiding sleeping on your back works well.
It’s been widely accepted that heart failure can significantly disrupt a good night’s rest. That means your doctor will already be anticipating your potential issues. Even if you’ve discussed it before, don’t shy away from letting them know if you’re still unable to sleep. Sleeping well is an integral part of living a full life with heart failure.
