Posture Affects Nerve Function in Heart Patients

A new study reveals that posture affects sympathetic nervous modulation
in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF).

Investigators analyzed heart rate variability and plasma norepinephrine
concentrations in 12 patients with CHF in three recumbent positions:
right lateral decubitus, left lateral decubitus and supine. Findings
showed that the same position preferred by patients, the right lateral
decubitus position, was also the position that most attenuated
sympathetic nervous modulation.

The Lancet November 25, 2000;356.

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