Hey everyone!

How to sleep with pericarditis?

In this blog post I would like to share the best position I have found to sleep deeply and recover as much as possible. It took me a while to figure out that the position in my bed could lead to very painful “heart” crisis (it feels truly like it).

Pericarditis causes very intense pain. And it becomes even more painful when lying down, especially on your back. Standing, and sometimes bending forward, can decrease the pain. These are the basics.

I cannot sleep in a sitting position. I have to lie down and relax. 

So here are my “pericordial” tips (for those living with pericarditis):

• Sleep on your right side, never on your left side.

• Never squeeze or compress your heart.

• Do not lie on your back, stomach or left side.

• Use pillows if necessary to keep your chest at a 45° angle.

• Relax your jaws.

• The best position for me is to lie down on my right side and keep my chest at a 45° angle, slightly forward, but not on my stomach. Cushions are helpful in keeping a posture as comfortable as possible.

I hope this makes sense and that my explanations are clear enough.

For those like me whose body doesn't accept salicylates or any painkillers, these tips can be a game-changer. But I think it might be helpful for anyone with pericarditis.

A good night's rest is so important for recovery when facing illness. At first the pain level was so high that I wouldn't tell the difference. And I wish I had known these tips sooner and not had to find out for myself.

SLEEP ONLY ON YOUR RIGHT SIDE

NEVER SQUEEZE OR COMPRESS YOUR HEART

Pericordially yours,

Vali