Analysis of the influence of EEG arousals from nocturnal sleep on heart rate

Heart rate changes during sleep due to several factors, like sleep stage, awakenings and body movements. This work investigates the influence of sleep arousal on heart rate changes. 586 arousals from seven polysomnographic recordings were analysed, and the mean frequency of the RR series was obtained every 5 " from 20" before to 20" after the arousal. Results show that the mean heart rate decreases at least 15" before the arousal occurrence, and the original value is reached in the following 20" after the arousal.