Heart rate, breathing rate and pulse during sleep
Physiological sleep parameters
How well we really sleep is not only reflected in how we feel in the morning – it can also be measured objectively. Physiological sleep parameters such as heart rate, breathing patterns and pulse provide deep insights into the quality and depth of our sleep. If you understand what happens in the body at night, you can work specifically on more restful sleep and promote long-term health and well-being.
Physiological sleep parameters
During sleep, the body experiences a variety of physiological changes that are crucial for recovery and general well-being. Important parameters such as heart rate, respiratory rate and pulse rate change during the various stages of sleep and can provide important information about the quality of sleep and a person’s state of health. These parameters play a crucial role in physical recovery.
Heart rate during sleep
The heart rate during sleep is usually slower than when awake. In general, the heart rate decreases throughout sleep, with the greatest fluctuations occurring during the different phases of sleep. The body moves from an active state to a relaxed state during sleep, which affects the heart rate. The changes in heart rate during sleep are important as they reflect the body’s ability to recover and process the day. A persistently high heart rate during sleep can indicate health problems such as sleep apnea or other cardiovascular problems.heart rate during sleep.
Heart rate REM sleep
During the Rapid Eye Movement (REM) phase of sleep, when intense dreaming takes place and brain activity increases greatly, the heart rate may increase slightly and become more irregular. Although the body is largely inactive during REM sleep (with the exception of the eye muscles), the brain remains very active. This can lead to an increase in heart rate, but it is usually still lower than during wakefulness.
Heart rate deep sleep
During deep sleep, especially in phase 3 of non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep, the heart rate drops significantly. This is due to the activation of the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for rest and regeneration. During this phase, the body is at its most relaxed and regenerates most intensively. A healthy heart rate in deep sleep is often between 40 and 50 beats per minute, depending on the person’s fitness level and age.heart rate deep sleep.
Respiratory rate during sleep
Respiratory rate is another important physiological parameter that varies during sleep. Compared to when awake, the body breathes more slowly and deeply during sleep. This is because the body is not actively searching for oxygen during the night, but is in a state of rest in which less energy is required.breathing rate during sleep.
Breathing rate in deep sleep
During deep sleep (NREM), the breathing rate is normally calm and even. The breathing rate here is typically around 12 to 16 breaths per minute. This phase is characterized by particularly deep, restful breaths.
Respiratory rate during REM sleep
In the REM phase, when the body shows the most brain activity and intense dreams occur, the breathing rate can vary and become more irregular. This happens because the brain is more active but the body is temporarily paralyzed to prevent movement. Even though the breathing rate fluctuates during REM sleep, it still remains below the breathing rate during wakefulness.breathing rate during REM sleep.
In some cases, such as sleep apnea, the breathing rate can be severely impaired. Breathing pauses of up to 10 seconds or more during sleep are not uncommon in sleep apnoea. These pauses in breathing can cause the oxygen level in the blood to drop, which in turn disturbs sleep and poses health risks.
Pulse during sleep
The pulse during sleep is closely linked to the heart rate and follows similar patterns. During sleep, the pulse rate usually decreases, which indicates that the body is relaxing. The pulse during sleep is usually slower than when awake and more stable.
Measuring the pulse during sleep, together with the heart rate and breathing rate, can indicate sleep disorders or health problems. A highly elevated pulse during sleep or an irregular heart rate may indicate cardiovascular disease or other health disorders such as sleep apnea.
The pulse in deep sleep
In deep sleep (NREM), both the heart rate and the pulse are at their lowest. In this phase, the body is dominated by the parasympathetic nervous system, which leads to relaxation and recovery. The pulse rate here is usually around 40 to 60 beats per minute, which is a significantly lower rate than when awake. The normal resting pulse rate of a healthy adult when awake is on average 60 to 100 beats per minute.
The pulse during REM sleep
During the REM phase, the pulse rate may increase slightly, as this phase is associated with increased brain activity and often vivid dreams. Even in this phase, however, the pulse usually remains lower than during wakefulness and is usually stable.
