Best sleeping position for peripheral artery disease

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Peripheral artery disease is a circulatory condition caused by atherosclerosis and the buildup of plaque inside the arteries that narrows and hardens over time, reducing blood flow to the legs. This narrowing restricts a person's blood flow, causing symptoms such as pain, cramping, numbness, or weakness in the legs. However, some optimal sleep positions for peripheral artery disease can improve blood flow relieve symptoms in a person with PAD, and improve their quality of life and well-being.

What is peripheral artery disease?

What is peripheral artery disease? Peripheral artery disease is a form of peripheral vascular disease. Peripheral artery disease is a circulatory condition in our body caused by atherosclerosis and various types of plaque build up inside the arteries, which over time narrow and harden them, reducing blood flow to other parts of the body, including the legs. That is when you have peripheral artery disease, a plaque of fat, cholesterol, and other substances slowly builds up inside the walls of your arteries. which narrows the blood flow in your arteries. As a result this disease mainly occurs.

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This narrowing restricts a person's blood flow leading to various problems like cramping, pain, numbness, and weakness in the left leg. You will usually feel this disease in your legs, but it can also occur in other parts of your body, such as the head, arms, stomach, and kidneys. It's a common condition that affects about 8 to 12 million people (those 40 years of age and older) in the United States each year. Peripheral artery disease (PAD) also known as peripheral arterial disease or peripheral vascular disease involves both veins and arteries.

Peripheral artery disease symptom

Diagnosing a disease is very easy if the symptoms of that disease are known. However, there are several symptoms of peripheral artery disease. About 1 in 4 people with PAD experience typical symptoms of the condition. Where more than half of people have central nontypical symptoms. Among them are many who have peripheral artery disease without any symptoms. Regardless of the symptoms, all of us with cardiovascular disease with PAD are at the same high risk. So we all should know the symptoms of this disease. Which is given below in the form of a list.

• Leg numbness or weakness
• Gangrene 
• Shiny skin on the legs
• Slower growth of the toenails
• Erectile dysfunction
• Ulcers on the leg, foot, and/or toes
• Skin color changes on the legs
• One foot may feel colder than the other
• No pulse or a weak pulse in the legs or feet
• Sores on the toes, feet, or legs that won't heal
• Hair loss or slower hair growth on the legs
• Toe and foot sores that don’t heal
• the muscles in your legs shrinking (wasting)
• Coldness in the lower leg or foot, especially when compared with the other side
• Pain when using the arms, such as aching and cramping when knitting, writing, or doing other manual tasks
• Painful cramping in one or both of the hips, thighs, or calf muscles after certain activities, such as walking or climbing stairs
• Changes in the color of the skin on the legs, such as paler or bluer than normal - this can be difficult to see on brown and dark skin, etc.

Note: The symptoms of peripheral artery disease mentioned above often develop slowly over time. But if you develop these symptoms very quickly or suddenly get worse, it can cause serious problems. In that case, immediate treatment should be taken.

Peripheral artery disease causes

Atherosclerosis is the main cause of peripheral artery disease. Atherosclerosis is a condition in which fat, cholesterol, and other substances gradually accumulate in the arteries of our body to form plaque. This narrows the arteries and restricts blood flow to other parts of the body, including the legs. As a result this disease mainly occurs. But apart from this reason, there are several other primary reasons and risk factors for the occurrence of this disease. Which is given below in the form of a list.

1. Smoking: Tobacco use is a significant risk factor for peripheral artery disease. Smoking damages the blood vessels in the human body, aggravates atherosclerosis, and increases the risk of blood clots. So smoking is one of the causes of peripheral arterial disease.

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2. High blood pressure: High blood pressure can damage blood vessels. High blood pressure also makes them more susceptible to the development of atherosclerosis and reduces blood flow to organs.

3. High Cholesterol: High cholesterol levels lead to plaque build-up in the arteries in our body which can lead to peripheral artery disease.

4. Diabetes: Diabetes can damage blood vessels and nerves throughout the body, including the feet, which can lead to this condition. And especially those who have diabetes have a higher risk of developing this disease.

5. Obesity: Being overweight or obese increases a person's risk of developing peripheral artery disease. Being overweight can contribute to conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol that can lead to this disease.

6. Age: The risk of peripheral artery disease increases with age, especially those 40 years of age and older who are more likely to develop the disease. That's because their blood vessels can change as they age, which can make them more prone to atherosclerosis and reduce blood flow. So age is one of the factors causing peripheral artery disease.

7. Family history: If there is a family history of PAD or cardiovascular disease, people in that family have a higher risk of developing the disease, which is largely genetic.

8. Chronic Kidney Disease: People with chronic kidney disease are at increased risk of developing peripheral artery disease. This probably occurs due to risk factors like diabetes and high blood pressure as well as vascular changes related to the kidney etc.

Best sleeping position for peripheral artery disease

Peripheral artery disease is a condition that occurs when a buildup of fat, cholesterol, and other substances builds up in the arteries in our body. This process of plaque formation is called atherosclerosis. It narrows the arteries in our body and restricts blood flow to other parts of the body including the legs. This disease is more common in people aged 40 years and above. The disease currently affects about 8 to 12 million people in the United States. People who suffer from this disease experience a variety of other symptoms including pain, cramping, numbness, and weakness in the legs (symptoms are outlined in a paragraph above). 

The disease also creates a barrier to one's body's most essential healing and recovery process - sweet, blissful, undisturbed sleep. However, there are several optimal sleeping positions for this disease that help relieve the symptoms of this disease and improve blood flow in the body. So we all should know about the best sleeping positions for peripheral artery disease. Below is a summary of the best sleeping positions for peripheral artery disease.

Sleeping With Head Elevated

One of the best sleeping positions for peripheral artery disease is the head-up position. This method offers many benefits for overall health and well-being. This position specifically involves lying on your back with your head slightly elevated, which helps improve blood circulation in the human body and blood clotting in the legs. Sleeping on your back in this position with your head elevated and your legs in a natural position can help reduce pain in your legs as it encourages blood flow downwards. Also, keeping your head slightly elevated during sleep reduces the pressure in your blood vessels, allowing blood to flow more freely throughout your body.

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However, this method may be particularly beneficial for those individuals who suffer from conditions such as varicose veins or deep vein thrombosis. And if you have sleep apnea, this sleeping position is not for you. Not only does this sleeping position relieve symptoms of peripheral artery disease, but it can also relieve symptoms associated with problems like acid reflux and snoring. So be sure to use a pillow to get this sleeping position right, which will keep your head elevated at an angle of about 30 degrees.

Sleeping With Legs Elevated

Another option among the best sleeping positions for peripheral artery disease is sleeping with legs elevated. This position helps improve blood flow to the legs by reducing pressure on the blood vessels and keeping them above the level of the heart. This method may be more beneficial for you especially if you have varicose veins, as it can easily relieve pressure from the lower legs. This position uses gravity to help blood flow from the lower part of your body to the central and upper regions.

This sleeping position can also be helpful for people who experience swelling in the lower legs and ankles. You can use a pillow under your knees for extra support to achieve this position while sleeping. In this case, make sure that the height of your feet is not too high. That is, put as many as you need under your feet until they are comfortable and raised above heart level.

Side sleeping

If you have difficulty lying on your back with elevated legs, the next best sleeping position for peripheral artery disease is side sleeping. In this case, when sleeping on your side, be careful not to put your feet on your chest like in the fetal position as this can restrict blood flow. Instead, make sure your legs are straight and in line with your body. However, if this position is challenging for you to maintain normally, you can place a pillow between your knees. This can help with better alignment while rasping, reducing any strain on your hips.

Investing in quality pillows and mattresses

Peripheral artery disease is a condition that affects the blood flow to our body parts, especially the legs. Due to this leg pain, numbness, cramping, leg weakness etc problems are caused. This results in disturbed sleep in people suffering from this disease. This makes investing in quality pillows and mattresses essential to improve the sleep experience and overall well-being of people with peripheral artery disease. In this regard, an important aspect of investing in quality pillows and mattresses is the use of memory foam. Memory foam mattresses are usually designed to conform to the shape of the body, which can alleviate the symptoms of this disorder.

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This feature of memory foam is especially beneficial for people with peripheral artery disease as it works great to reduce discomfort and pressure points during sleep. Another quality pillow that can also relieve the symptoms of this disease is the contour pillow. This pillow is designed to support the neck and head and encourage proper spinal alignment. This alignment helps improve blood circulation during sleep, reducing the likelihood of PAD-related symptoms.

Sleep on your side if you have both PAD and sleep apnea

For those of you with both peripheral arterial disease and sleep apnea, finding a comfortable resting and sleeping position is crucial. That is, if you have severe sleep apnea, you are more likely to have peripheral artery disease. In this case, you can follow the method of side sleeping among the best sleeping positions for peripheral neuropathy. This method helps to improve your spinal alignment and promote good blood circulation. Ensures that blood flow to your body is not restricted, especially to the legs. In this case, you can place a pillow between your knees while sleeping on your side. This helps reduce stress on your lower back and maintain proper hip alignment. Also, this sleep regimen for peripheral artery disease can relieve any discomfort or pain caused by PAD or back pain.

Dear Readers, So far we have discussed the best sleeping positions for peripheral artery disease. This discussion will help you. Let's know the names of these methods that should not sleep if we are affected by peripheral artery disease. Below is a list of things you shouldn't sleep with when you have peripheral artery disease.

• Avoid sleeping on your stomach
• Avoid Pressure Points
• Avoid Crossing Legs
• Avoid pressure on affected areas

The best exercise for peripheral artery disease

For all of us with peripheral artery disease, regular exercise is crucial to improving circulation and overall cardiovascular health. In this regard, researchers have generally identified walking as the best exercise for peripheral artery disease. But apart from this, many other exercises can be beneficial depending on the condition and pain tolerance of the person suffering from this disease. Below is a list of some of the best exercises for peripheral artery disease.

• Walking
• Cycling
• Water Aerobics
• Elliptical Training
• Strength Training
• Yoga
• Water exercises
• Tai Ch
• Leg exercises
• Stretching
• Pilates
• Stair climbing

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Note: When you first start doing these exercises, you will experience mild pain in your body which will go away with regular exercise. Remember, the mentioned exercises should be started slowly in the beginning and gradually increase the intensity and duration of your exercises. And be sure to consult your healthcare provider before starting any new exercise program, especially if you have peripheral artery disease.

Best shoes for peripheral artery disease

Shoes are one of the most important things for peripheral artery disease. In this case, it is important to prioritize the comfort, support, and protection of your feet when choosing shoes for this disease. In this case, you need to look for shoes that provide adequate cushioning, a wide toe box for foot deformity or swelling, and good arch support. To make it easier for you to choose the best shoes for peripheral artery disease, we have listed several shoe brands known for their comfort and supportive features. And this brand of shoes can be suitable for a person suffering from peripheral artery disease.

• New Balance
• Brooks
• Hoka One One
• Skechers
• Asics
• Orthofeet
• Propet
• Vionic

Conclusion

Dear Readers, So far in this post we have covered various information about Peripheral Artery Disease including Best Sleeping Positions for Peripheral Artery Disease. We have always tried to provide you with accurate information, but if we have made any mistakes, 

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we hope you will forgive us for those mistakes. And if the symptoms of peripheral artery disease become serious in you, then take the doctor's advice very quickly. Stay healthy stay well. Thank you.