Heart Rate-Breath Rate: What is the connection

If you are like me, obsessed with tracking and measuring, you would have noticed that the new devices tell you your breath rate. Your smart watch, for example.

But have you ever wondered how your watch, worn on your wrist, magically seems to be able to extend up and count your breath?

In truth, it is sensing the pulsing of your blood, as it flows in your arm. Then, using a crude approximation, the device determines how many times you are breathing.

So is there a pattern to how your breath affects your heart?

I am simplifying but the rough correlation is 1:4. Your heart beats four times for every breath you take.

It is this number that is being calculated by your watch. So each time your watch measures the pulsing of your blood in your wrist, it divides by 4 to calculate your breath.

Your cardiac and your respiratory rhythym are independant. Both have their indepedant neural systems that regulate the beating of your heart and breath.

However, your breath and your heart are closely connected. Your breath affects the sino atrial valve in the heart, regulating your heartbeat.

But the relationship is not precise.

Your heart could, for example, beat at 3.8 times per breath or 4.1 times.

Atheletes tend to have better syncronicity of their breath and heart, being able to regulate the response through training.

So take your breath rate with a pinch of salt. It is an approximation, not an exact number.

But why should you care?

As I have said many times before, your breath and the frequency with which you breathe, is a critical measure of health.

A small lung capacity, an ageing heart, and a poor diaphragm muscle, will collectively increase your breath rate. Your body will be starved for oxygen and ration what is available.

So regardless of the accuracy, use your watch to regulate your breath. Slow down!

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