This patient support community is for discussions relating to heart rhythm issues, arrhythmia, irregular heartbeat, implanted defibrillators, pacemakers, and tachycardia.
Earlier today I was taking my pulse, and found that when lying on my left side my heart rate was about 68 beats per minute...when lying on the right side, my heart rate was about 80. Is it normal for there to be such a large difference between heart rates when you're lying on different sides?
I asked this question on yahoo, and someone seemingly reputable said that heart rates Do lower when you're lying on your left side, but I haven't been able to find any other sources to see if that's supported.
I do know that my heart arrhythmia is more pronounced when lying on my left side. My doctor told me that the heart actually "drops" into the chest wall when lying on the left. Maybe this is related. I think you would have to ask a doctor, or someone who has closely studied anatomy...
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