There’s no question about whether sleep is important for heart and brain health. Study after study has shown that it is.

Questions about the importance of how you sleep — on your back, on your side, on your stomach — haven’t been asked nearly as often. But experts say sleep position can indeed matter, at least in some situations.

In general, sleep position is a matter of personal preference, said Dr. Rachel Salas, a sleep neurologist at the Johns Hopkins Center for Sleep and Wellness in Baltimore.

Initially, she said, it’s like Goldilocks: People gravitate toward whatever feels just right. But that can evolve over time.

Your bedroom, your mattress, where your windows are and who you sleep with can all affect your choices, said Dr. Susan Redline, the Peter C. Farrell Professor of Sleep

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