Heart Surgery - Best Sleeping Position

Heart surgery is an invasive procedure and one that leaves the recovering patient in pain and often a measure of fear. Many questions arise. Some are simple. Some are difficult. One that arises frequently regards sleeping position.

What is the best position for sleeping after open heart surgery? The chest has been cut open. Bones have been fractured. Chest muscles have been bruised. If the surgery was bypass heart surgery, blood vessels have been taken from legs or arm and stitched onto the heart. The sites from which they were taken may represent additional bruised muscles. It may seem that everything hurts.

What is the best position for sleeping after open heart surgery?

The best position for sleeping after open heart surgery is a position that decreases muscle strain. When you are awake, you will tend to tense muscles to protect against pain and injury. If you are to rest well, you need to let those muscles relax.

Sleeping on your back is probably going to be most comfortable after open heart surgery. Arrange pillows under your neck and head to raise them slightly. This will reduce strain on the neck muscles. If you find yourself waking because you turn toward your side, arrange pillows on either side to help you maintain the most comfortable position.

Once you are settled, take time to consciously relax every muscle. Begin with your toes and tense the muscles, then make them relax. Proceed up the legs slowly, feeling every muscle. Tense each muscle first to be sure you feel it, and then relax it. Tense and relax every muscle until you reach the head.

Other Tips to Help You Sleep After Open Heart Surgery

Establish a bedtime routine with a pattern of activities that always culminate in sleep. Begin 1 hour before you want to go to sleep.

* Take a brief, relaxing shower and dress in loose nightwear.
* Talk to your spouse about your feelings if you are concerned.
* Listen to relaxing music while your spouse gives you a gentle backrub.
* Take pain medication one half hour before you want to go to sleep.
* Get into bed and arrange pillows (with help, if needed).
* Do your muscle relaxing exercise, toes to head.
* Go to sleep.

For the best night time sleep after open heart surgery, try not to nap too much during the day. You will be sitting a lot and resting, but try to read, watch TV, engage in a craft, play a game, or converse with family and friends. Your doctor will likely have told you to take short walks periodically. You will be more ready to sleep without interruption if you do your exercise, engage in interesting activities, and limit daytime napping after open heart surgery.

You should also avoid caffeine in the evening. Beverages such as chocolate, coffee, colas, and tea will make it more difficult to sleep.

What is the best position for sleeping after open heart surgery? The position that your body says is most comfortable.