Resting on your right side, gravity draws the heart from those sleeping on the right to the center of the chest. Where gravity influences your heart, these slight alterations can impact symptoms, cardiac output, or even your pulse.
Due to gravity relocating the internal organs to the right, the heart will move the mediastinum to the right lung. This will decrease lung volume, which could be significant in specific pulmonary conditions. The reduced blood volume can jeopardize oxygen levels and put pressure on the cardiovascular system in individuals with associated health issues.
Pressure on the nerves of the right arm or leg can result in compression injuries or nerve damage. Similar to left lateral sleep, consistently sleeping on the right side may result in pain in the right shoulder, lower back, and right hip.
