Has anyone checked this or commented on it in the past? My pulse is about 3 or 4 beats slower on the left side than the right - always. If it is 55 on the right it will be about 51 or 52 when I turn to my left, then back to 55 on my right (I am measuring it quite precisely over 60 seconds).
Seems clear that fact is the reason that my vagally induced afib starts on the left side 90% of the time. I try to sleep on my right side (the left was historically my preferred side) til 3am - if I make it til then I am clear to turn to the left side. If I didn't make it til then and find myself on my left side, chances are much higher I will be in afib.
I'm sure this is GI related as well for me, as the lower heart rate doesn't explain it all because some nights I have a lower than normal heart rate (high 40s) and don't get afib (lower than on some nights when I get afib). I think sleeping on the left side may also increase vagal tone via different positioning of the GI tract.
I don't understand the exact mechanism of how vagal afib gets started. Does anyone have experience with the slower pulse on the left? If you haven't checked it out before, are you willing to try and report back? Thanks, Ralph