It’s best to avoid using electronic devices before bed and don’t have heavy meals before it’s time to sleep.
To make sure you get the right amount of sleep, have a reasonably set bedtime. Before this time, make sure you’re taking steps to relax and get in the right frame of mind for restful sleep. Sleep experts often suggest doing relaxing exercises like yoga or meditation. Reading a book or listening to music can also help.
While you’re dealing with sleep complications from heart failure, it might not be easy to get to sleep and stay that way. If you keep waking up during the night, try a few more relaxation techniques to get back to sleep.
When to Call Your Doctor
If you’ve made changes to your bedtime routine and it’s had no effect, it’s time to talk to your doctor. Don’t be surprised if the doctor suggests that you do a sleep study or some other test to determine what’s affecting your sleep.
It’s a necessary step to pinpoint the cause of your restless nights so you get the right treatment. For example, the treatment for insomnia differs from that for sleep apnea.
Possible treatment options include devices or machines that can help with breathing at night. There may also be medications that are designed to combat insomnia or involuntary activity that makes sleep difficult.
It’s worth noting that while less than 3% of the population will be diagnosed with heart failure, the majority of those persons are likely to be African Americans. Additionally, black people are more prone to poor outcomes even after they have been diagnosed.
To keep your health in check, get your check-ups annually and talk to your doctor as soon as possible if you think heart failure is having a negative impact on the quality of your sleep.