{"id":26749,"date":"2022-11-01T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-11-01T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog-staging.saatva-node-stage.tsc-starts-coding.com\/sleeping-heart-rate\/"},"modified":"2023-07-07T13:10:46","modified_gmt":"2023-07-07T13:10:46","slug":"sleeping-heart-rate","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.saatva-node-stage.tsc-starts-coding.com\/blog\/sleeping-heart-rate\/","title":{"rendered":"What’s a Normal Sleeping Heart Rate?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

There are several things that can fluctuate throughout the day\u2014your energy level, your weight\u2014and your heart rate is another. [1]<\/sup> There are many factors that can make it vary as you go about your routine. Stress and exercise can make it higher [2,3]<\/sup> while sleep can lower it. [4]<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAs your body\u2019s demand for energy fluctuates throughout the day, your heart rate will adjust accordingly to meet those energy requirements,\u201d says Estelle D. Jean<\/a>, MD, a board-certified cardiologist. \u201cYour heart rate will increase in response to physical activity, to stimulants such as caffeine<\/a>, or during periods of emotional stress, anxiety<\/a>, and pain. It can also decrease while you are sitting, sleeping, or meditating<\/a>.\u201d [6, 18]<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n

While heart rate does generally go down during sleep, a normal sleeping heart rate can vary from person to person and can also vary depending on what exact state of sleep you are in. One study found that the average sleeping heart rate for participants was about 60 beats per minute. [5]<\/sup> Another study that measured average sleeping heart rate for individuals over several nights found and average heart rate anywhere from 45-77 beats per minute. [13]<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ahead, you\u2019ll discover everything you need to know about your heart rate while sleeping, what\u2019s considered too low, and how to manage your heart rate during sleep.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Average heart rates<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Resting heart rate<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cResting heart rate is a measure of your heart rate while at rest and relaxed,\u201d says Jean. She adds that the normal average heart rate ranges from 60 to 100 BPM. [6]<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But this is something that can be different from person to person for several reasons. For example, some people may have a resting heart rate as low as 30 BPM, and it can also decrease by age, as proven through study<\/a>. [7]<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFor many individuals, a heart rate less than 60 BPM may be an indicator of cardiovascular fitness, as well-conditioned athletes typically have a slower resting heart rate,\u201d [6]<\/sup> Jean explains. \u201cIt is important to consider factors such as age, physical fitness, medications, underlying medical conditions, and symptoms when trying to determine if the slow heart rate is problematic.\u201d [16]<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Heart rate during exercise<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s only natural that your heart rate increases during exercise\u2014that means you\u2019re doing it right. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has targeted heart rates<\/a> you can aim for during exercise, ranging anywhere from 109 BPM to 172 BPM. [8]<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYour heart rate will increase during exercise to supply more oxygen to your muscles,\u201d Jean says. [17]<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Just be sure to consult with a doctor before starting a vigorous exercise program and go over any risk factors you may have.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Heart rate while sleeping<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

During sleep, your average sleeping heart rate may go down to below 60 beats per minute [7]<\/sup>, but again, this can vary. It\u2019s not uncommon to have a heart rate in the 30s while sleeping\u2014and Jean says it can briefly drop as low as 30 BPM while sleeping in a healthy individual. [7]<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Noting that your sleeping heart rate will typically be lower than your daytime resting heart rate, Jean says a normal sleeping heart rate depends on several factors, such as age and physical fitness.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

How does your heart rate change while you sleep?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Your heart rate isn\u2019t only affected by the act of sleeping but by where you\u2019re at in your sleep cycle as well. [9]<\/sup> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jean says a normal response to sleep is a decrease in heart rate. The heart rate is slowest during deep sleep<\/a> and may increase during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep<\/a>, which is when the majority of your dreams take place. [9]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What can affect your sleeping heart rate?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Several factors can affect your sleeping heart rate, making it go higher or lower. According to Jean, these causes can include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n