Ashwin Lewis
Sleep is not just the absence of wakefulness, but a dynamic state of consciousness that is characterised by rapid fluctuations in autonomic activity controlling coronary artery tone, systemic blood pressure, and heart rate. During sleep, the stimulation of the nervous system is reduced, and most of the body's processes slow down. The average sleep cycle lasts around 90 minutes, and an individual will go through between 4 to 6 cycles in one night. Heart rate usually decreases when one is asleep, but this can vary depending on the sleep stage, with light sleep, deep sleep, and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. During REM sleep, the heart rate may speed up to a rate similar to when one is awake.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Heart rate during REM sleep | May speed up to a rate similar to when you are awake |
| Heart rate during sleep | 40 to 50 beats per minute |
| Heart rate during deep sleep | 20% to 30% below the resting heart rate |
| Resting heart rate | 60 to 100 beats per minute |
| Heart rate during sleep with sleep apnea | May not slow down at all |
| Heart rate during sleep with dehydration | Faster |
| Heart rate during sleep with medications | May run slower |
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What You'll Learn
- Heart rate during REM sleep may be similar to when awake
- Dreaming can influence heart rate during REM sleep
- Sleep disorders can cause abnormal heart rates during REM sleep
- Poor sleep hygiene can contribute to a higher heart rate during REM sleep
- Heart rate during REM sleep can be influenced by the body's circadian temperature
Heart rate during REM sleep may be similar to when awake
During REM sleep, the heart rate may speed up to a rate comparable to when a person is awake. REM sleep is the sleep phase during which people dream, and the heart rate can be influenced by the contents of these dreams. For example, if a person is dreaming about running away from a monster, their heart rate will increase as if they were running in real life.
Dr. Epstein states that "your heart rate can vary quite a bit during REM sleep because it reflects the activity level occurring in your dream." This means that if a dream is particularly scary or involves physical activity, the sleeper's heart rate will rise as it would if they were awake.
While a normal resting heart rate is between 60 and 100 beats per minute, a normal heart rate during sleep is between 40 and 50 beats per minute. During deep sleep, the heart rate reaches its lowest levels, dropping to 20% to 30% below the resting heart rate. However, during REM sleep, the heart rate increases slightly and presents greater variability than during wakefulness.
The overall pattern of heart rate changes is influenced by body circadian temperature, body movements, and awakenings. Additionally, heart rate can spike during sleep due to a lack of oxygen, often caused by obstructive sleep apnea. People with sleep apnea experience repeated arousals during sleep, which are caused by a drop in oxygen and an increase in carbon dioxide. These arousals remain below the level of wakefulness but can cause a surge in heart rate.
While sleep is generally a time for the heart to rest and recover, certain conditions and sleep disorders can affect heart rate during sleep. These include restless leg syndrome, REM sleep behaviour disorder, delayed sleep phase syndrome, overactive bladder, and chronic pain. Additionally, consuming too much caffeine or having too much screen time before bed can also result in an abnormal sleeping heart rate.
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Dreaming can influence heart rate during REM sleep
The heart rate during REM sleep can vary quite a bit and is influenced by the activity level occurring in the dream. Dr. Epstein states that "during sleep, the stimulation of your nervous system is reduced and most of your body processes slow down". However, he also notes that "your heart rate can vary during REM sleep because it reflects the activity level occurring in your dream".
The average sleep cycle lasts around 90 minutes, and a person will go through between 4 to 6 cycles in one night. During the first stages of light sleep, the heart rate begins to slow down. In the deep sleep stage, the heart rate reaches its lowest levels, dropping to about 20% to 30% below the resting heart rate.
REM sleep is marked by periods of higher activity, and the heart rate may speed up during this stage. While this is considered normal, researchers believe that the surge in activity during REM sleep could explain why vulnerable people experience heart attacks. Additionally, high heart rates during sleep are connected with taking longer to fall asleep, experiencing lower sleep quality, and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
It is important to note that the quality of sleep is also significant, and waking up during any stage of sleep can increase sympathetic activity, elevate heart rate and blood pressure, and lower HRV (heart rate variability). Poor sleep can negatively impact heart rate and blood pressure during the day.
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Sleep disorders can cause abnormal heart rates during REM sleep
Sleep is a complex process that involves the regulation of various bodily functions, including heart rate. During sleep, an individual typically transitions through different stages of sleep, including light sleep, deep sleep, and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. While the heart rate generally slows down during sleep, it can vary significantly during REM sleep, reflecting the activity levels occurring in dreams.
Sleep disorders can disrupt this natural variation in heart rate during REM sleep, leading to abnormal heart rates. One such disorder is sleep apnea, characterised by upper airway collapse and obstruction during sleep. Patients with sleep apnea experience repeated apnoea and hypopnea events, causing fluctuations in blood pressure and heart rate. These disruptions in heart-rate regulation can have significant cardiovascular implications.
Another sleep disorder that can affect heart rate during REM sleep is periodic limb movement disorder. This disorder involves involuntary leg movements during sleep, which can trigger increases in heart rate and contribute to overall sleep disruption. Additionally, shift work disorder, resulting from irregular work schedules, has been linked to higher heart rates during sleep, further highlighting the impact of sleep disorders on cardiovascular health.
Furthermore, certain medications and underlying health conditions can also contribute to abnormal heart rates during REM sleep. For example, stimulant medications used to treat ADHD and psychiatric medications like antidepressants can influence heart rate and blood pressure during sleep. Additionally, individuals with heart conduction disorders or thyroid disease may experience abnormal heart rates during sleep due to disruptions in the wiring of the heart or variations in thyroid function.
The impact of sleep disorders on heart rate during REM sleep underscores the importance of addressing sleep problems and maintaining healthy sleep hygiene. Early detection of heart rate anomalies during sleep can lead to improved overall health and sleep quality, emphasising the interconnectedness of cardiovascular and sleep health.
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Poor sleep hygiene can contribute to a higher heart rate during REM sleep
Sleep is a complex process that involves various stages, including light sleep, deep sleep, and rapid-eye movement (REM) sleep. During sleep, the body's processes slow down, including the heart rate, which typically reaches its lowest levels during deep sleep. However, during REM sleep, the heart rate may speed up to levels similar to those experienced during wakefulness.
While REM sleep is typically associated with higher heart rates, poor sleep hygiene can further contribute to elevated heart rates during this stage of sleep. Sleep hygiene refers to behaviours and practices that promote healthy sleep. Poor sleep hygiene can include factors such as a lack of a consistent sleep schedule, excessive screen time before bed, caffeine consumption close to bedtime, and inadequate winding-down routines. These factors can disrupt the quality and duration of sleep, leading to higher heart rates during REM sleep.
The impact of poor sleep hygiene on heart rate during REM sleep is significant. Research suggests that shifting bedtime by just 30 minutes can raise the resting heart rate. Additionally, poor sleep hygiene can lead to increased stress and anxiety, which are associated with higher heart rates during sleep. Prolonged stress and anxiety can further disrupt sleep quality, creating a cycle that negatively affects overall heart health.
Furthermore, poor sleep hygiene can be a contributing factor to sleep disorders such as insomnia, sleep apnea, and restless leg syndrome. These conditions can directly influence heart rate during sleep, including the REM stage. For example, patients with sleep apnea experience fluctuations in heart rate due to the repeated cessation and resumption of breathing during sleep. The associated oxygen desaturation and arousal responses can impact heart rate variability and overall cardiovascular health.
Improving sleep hygiene can help mitigate these issues. Establishing a consistent sleep schedule, limiting screen time and caffeine intake before bed, and engaging in relaxation techniques can promote better sleep quality and regulate heart rate during REM sleep. Additionally, addressing underlying conditions and making lifestyle changes, such as regular exercise, can strengthen cardiac fitness and contribute to healthier heart rates during sleep.
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Heart rate during REM sleep can be influenced by the body's circadian temperature
During the REM sleep stage, the heart rate may speed up to a rate similar to when a person is awake. This is because the heart rate reflects the activity level occurring in the dream. For instance, if a person is dreaming about running away from a monster, their heart rate will speed up as if they were running in real life.
However, several factors can influence heart rate during sleep. A person's heart rate is generally slower during sleep than when they are awake. During the first stages of light sleep, the heart rate begins to slow down and reaches its lowest levels during deep sleep. During REM sleep, the heart rate increases slightly and presents greater variability than during wakefulness.
The overall pattern of heart rate changes during sleep is influenced by the body's circadian temperature, the stage of sleep, body movements, and awakenings. The body's circadian temperature, or daily temperature cycle, can impact the heart rate during REM sleep. This is because the body's temperature naturally fluctuates throughout the day, and the heart rate tends to be lower when the body is in a state of rest. During REM sleep, the body is in a deeper state of rest, and the heart rate can be influenced by the body's temperature, which is typically lower during this stage of sleep.
Additionally, certain conditions and sleep disorders can affect a person's sleeping heart rate. For example, people with restless leg syndrome, REM sleep behavior disorder, or delayed sleep phase syndrome may experience abnormal heart rates during sleep. Consuming too much caffeine or having too much screen time before bed can also result in an abnormal sleeping heart rate.
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Frequently asked questions
REM stands for rapid eye movement sleep, also known as dreaming sleep.
During REM sleep, your heart rate may speed up to a rate similar to when you are awake. Your heart rate can be influenced by the contents of your dreams. For example, if you dream about running away from a monster, your heart rate will speed up just like it would if you were running in real life.
A normal heart rate during sleep is generally between 40 to 75 beats per minute.
Other than the contents of your dreams, factors such as stress, anxiety, poor sleep hygiene, caffeine, screen time, dehydration, and certain medications can also influence heart rate during REM sleep.
