Sleeping heart rate high

[Angelab52]

My sleeping heart rate is higher than my resting heart rate 80-90% of the night but I’m not having any big variations in my oxygen levels. My restoration score is always low because of my heart rate. Does anyone know what causes a high heart rate at night if it’s not sleep apnea? 

[bobby2478]

Same question for me as well, my wife noticed her sleeping heart rate is higher than the resting heart rate for a majority of the night (60+%). Wondering if this is common or normal. 

This is different than mine where my sleeping heart rate is only higher than resting heart rate for 4-5% of the night. She's going to try my charge 3 for a few nights to see o2 saturation to see if there are any blips there that might indicate sleep apnea but I doubt she has sleep apnea.

[mortonboots]

I would also love to learn more about this situation.  If it is a criteria for sleep restoration and a large factor in the sleep score there should be some fitbit info -- beyond a few sentences -- to learn about the science so we can dig deeper.  I find very little scientific evidence on the importance of lowering sleeping heart rate.

[Joyce5]

I have exactly the same issue and can’t find much information on why this is or how to change it.  

[mortonboots]

Perhaps a person's sleep chronotype or circadian rhythm would affect the amount of time one's sleeping heart rate dips below resting heart rate.  Perhaps Fitbit will take this into consideration in setting up their algorithms.  I am not sure how to make such a recommendation -- are you?

[Joyce5]

No. I tried to ask this over live chat but it just cut me off and referred
me to this discussion.
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Sent from my IPad. Please excuse typos,etc. Joyce

[WanderingSal]

Hi, same issue for me, except I spend 95-97% of the night above resting heart rate. 

I can’t find anything online either, just references to spikes. My heart rate goes up when I fall asleep and stays there until I wake up.

ive tried altering things like bed time, no alcohol, I don’t drink caffeine after lunch time anyway, and even water fasting but nothing seems to make a difference.

I’m wondering if it’s time to call my GP.

[Joyce5]

I talked to my sleep specialist doctor and he said not to worry about it.
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Sent from my IPad. Please excuse typos,etc. Joyce

[rellum]

Hi.  Did he give an indication as to what causes the high sleeping heart rate?  I too have this and just had an in home sleep study that ruled out apnea.  Thanks!

[Joyce5]

My doctor seemed to think it was a Fitbit issue, not a health issue so I am
ignoring it, although it’s annoying. I have noticed that keeping my hands
at shoulder level or below when I sleep helps. Joyce
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Sent from my IPad. Please excuse typos,etc. Joyce

[KimKim28]

You know whats funny? I am ALWAYS below Resting heart rate when I sleep typically 75-90% is below resting and my average bpm is anywhere between 50-57...my natural resting heart rate is very low bc im athletic and very active, so its always been that way BUT...just right now I looked at my sleep pattern from last night- granted, I did not sleep long enough at all but it said 100% of my heart rate was ABOVE...uhhhh...that has NEVER happened while using my fitbit (and its been years). I'm hoping this is just a glitch bc I find that a bit alarming. 100%?? and my avg bpm was 80! ....im beyond confused. 😕

[Sailormoon73]

This is not a Fitbit issue - there are other (women?) all saying same thing. I wake up feeling exhausted because of this… 

i swopped  to an Oura ring at one point and it showed the same issue.!

i am trying to get any doctor to take me seriously on this: no one seems to think it’s an issue, but it is an issue. Poor sleep links to so many other chronic health issues. 
I’m planning on going back to the GP and trying to insist they refer me to a sleep clinic.

if at least one of us can get answers it may solve the mystery for all.

ps… the only possible theory I found is that it’s caused my longstanding anxiety.I had burn out 15 years ago and I’m wondering if it reprogrammed my anxiety response and I’m now in some kind of permanent state physically.

i don’t feel overly stressed - at least not every single day … but maybe I’m just used to it now.

have you suffered from anxiety?

[BobStrummer]

Hi all. Experiencing the same thing most nights despite trying all the usual (not exercising, eating or drinking alcohol too late etc). Wondering if anybody here ever managed to resolve the issue and if so how? Thanks 😊

[SunsetRunner]

For me it is 2 things and guaranteed to screw up my readings every time, including reducing the HRV. 1- Too much alcohol during the day and especially a couple close to bedtime.  2- Big meal right before going to bed.  Both of those require your metabolism to go into high gear to process them, and it takes most of the night,  

[GardenRabbi]

When I have any kind of illness and my immune system is active I experience something like what you described. Were you sick at the time?

[Sailormoon73]

Hi…. No… been like it for years unfortunately:(
I think it’s burnout and years of stress.
Can’t seem to fix it though!

Sent from my iPhone

[beehacker]

What SunsetRunner said.

This bothered me so much I started a food/activity journal. The screen below is fairly typical for me.

This shows SHR below RHR 32% of the time. Often it is 0%  The downward ramp is typical. It tells me that this is a metabolic process that require several hours to run its course. If I eat a small, early meal, no fatty meats, and no alcohol, I can get this number up to 85%. It does not appear to be one thing. I have also found that slowing respiration rate and other relaxation techniques slows heart rate as well. 

I would love to find some research on this subject.

[Sailormoon73]

Me too!!! I would love to find out what this is all about… 🙂

Sent from my iPhone

[GardenRabbi]

my graph varies a lot. I definitely have nights like the one you show but other times it is a hammock.

I feel the difference in my body when I get a hammock 

I agree with you food observations both content and timing