Heart rate during Keto adaptation

[odedia]

So, since this is the science category I’d like to do a little experiment.

I’ve started Keto on January 1st and I happen to use an Apple Watch.

I monitored my heart rate during the adaptation period, and I was really surprised. My resting heart rate was hovering around the 90-100bpm almost all day. I even put on the watch during bedtime to monitor my heartrate and it was the same levels.

Now I’m 6 weeks into Keto and my heart rate is back to normal. It is in the 67-75 range while resting.

I find this very interesting and didn’t notice anyone talk about this, so I wonder if I’m just an N=1 or if there are other people starting out that can provide similar feedback. Any Smartwatch with a heart rate monitor would do just fine.

Any theories what it could be related to?

[Stephanie]

I’ve heard this mentioned several times in FB groups. According to Ellen Davis (in her new book) it can be a selenium deficiency or other mineral, hypoglycemia, dehydration or a reaction to coconut oil or MCT.

[Izerian]

There was a podcast/study/post or the like that @richard was nice enough to enlighten with that stated the heart is roughly 28% more hydraulically efficient while running off of ketones. @Brenda has a deranged ticker as well. Heh, sorry guys

Maybe this could be a factor? I know my heart has been on vacation the last six months. It wakes up if need be because of adrenaline or what not, but just does it’s job otherwise.

[Brenda]

I find this very interesting and didn’t notice anyone talk about this, so I wonder if I’m just an N=1 or if there are other people starting out that can provide similar feedback.

Absofuckinglutely! I did!!
This was one of the amazing developments that happened to me when starting keto.
I’ve always had an unusually fast RESTING heart rate. 112-115. I never liked it and was always envious of a 70-80 resting rate.

The ketogenic diet changed all that. My resting heart rate is consistently in the 80’s now, and even 70’s when fasting!!

[kyliew]

Yes me too! Unusually high pulse rate most times - go on keto and it stays high - and then settles down in the 70’s or 80’s once fat adapted.

In fact I get so worried or embarrassed about my weird pulse I sometimes avoid donating blood at the blood bank because I get sick of having to explain, don’t worry it’s always like this!!!

[JamieHayes]

What about blood pressure?

[kyliew]

Mine is always normal!

[MiKetoAF]

Mine was definitely elevated for the first few weeks. Now it’s back to “normal” for me and between 65-67 resting according to my Fitbit.

[Jan]

My blood pressure has been high for 35 years. Two months in, I was able to halve my meds. Now 2 months this more, and it’s getting low again. If it stays where it is today, 110/72, I may get off bp meds altogether… Woooohooooooo!!!

[ketohorse]

My blood pressure has always been low-ish (100/70 or 110/75) but my resting heart rate was 90-100.

I just had my blood pressure taken yesterday at the Dr. and it was 92/63 and my heart rate was 71. Pretty good!

Though I do sometimes wonder if my low BP is why I have difficulty fasting more than 48 hours, even with really good hydration and lots of salt.

[MrsH72]

When I first went into ketosis my heart rate was quite High. After about a week, I found myself in more normal ranges. I’m not sure what causes it, but I think has something to do with changing from a sugar burner to a fat burner.

[Brenda]

What about blood pressure

Mine is normal now. 3 years ago when before I started keto I was hypertensive (high blood pressure)

BONUS

[Brenda]

sick of having to explain,

Oh lord, I hear ya. Those “looks” I would get, as if I were a freak. My heart rate has been unusually fast since my teens.
I suspect insulin resistance started in my teens even though I was slim and athletic (swim team, track, motocross , barrel racer w/ a quarter horse) I was strong as hell and lean as all get out. I started gaining in my 20’s, diagnosed T2DM at age 36.

I am no longer diabetic. I’m 53.

[Dominic_Lahar]

Old thread I know, but I tend to find when doing keto that my heart rate is initially higher, sleep more disturbed, and BP is higher for about a week. For example:
Resting HR pre-keto: ~55bpm
Starting keto: ~62bpm
Week later: ~55bpm

In cardio, where it counts, I find high intensity interval training initially compromised until keto-adapted. This usually takes the form of unable to complete my last couple minute sprints on the treadmill at 10mph. After a week of adaptation, this is restored and I find I can do so as well as air it out for a longer continuous run at 70-80% max effort with greater ease than not on keto.

I don’t tend to do keto for more than a few weeks at a time and tend to do a more typical intermittent fasting (IF) approach most of the week (skipping breakfast) along with high carb eating 36-48 hours post weight training before back to IF. I find this works well for me (late 30s, male, ~10-12% bodyfat) in terms of preserving muscle mass and physique. Going keto for a few weeks drops me under the 10% bodyfat and the linea alba becomes visible turning my 4 pack to a 6 pack, but overall performance at the gym WRT strength training tends to suffer. The personal records become fewer and eventually stop.

In summary, I think my HR and aerobic performance is generally better on keto after a week of adaptation, but tend not to do keto due to the slightly negative tradeoff with strength gains.

[EZB]

I’m a s similar note, when fasting for more than 2 days, my heart rate goes to 50 or below now. 20 years ago, I was an athlete with a resting heart rate of 38

[Carina]

Absofuckinglutely! I did!!
This was one of the amazing developments that happened to me when starting keto.
I’ve always had an unusually fast RESTING heart rate. 112-115. I never liked it and was always envious of a 70-80 resting rate.

The ketogenic diet changed all that. My resting heart rate is consistently in the 80’s now, and even 70’s when fasting!!

@Brenda How long did it take for your heart rate to go down? Mine is just as high, and it has always bothered me like crazy ( I also work out quite a bit, so can’t blame it on being sedentary either). I have been keto for over 9 months now (years on low carb before that). I know I am fat adapted, with ketones consistently between 1.8 and 3 (except when I fast when they are between 4 and 6), but my heart rate remains just as fast. I guess i just wanted to know if it took you longer than this, maybe i still have hope.

[Brenda]

How long did it take for your heart rate to go down?

As soon as I was in ketosis I noticed a change. My heart used to race when I was a glucose burner, even at night as I was trying to fall asleep. That stopped with keto. I guess I didn’t fully realize I had a more normal resting heartrate rate until I started tracking it closely. About a year and a half ago. It gets even lower when I fast. I checked last night too. This makes me VERY happy!!
I bought this pulse oximeter last year ($15 half price online) Recently my son showed me that my Galaxy s7 edge cell phone has a pulse oximeter on it! Who knew??! Not me!

And my cell phone pulse oximeter. Just now.

[dub]

The Oura ring tracks HR during the night, and lowest rate achieved in the night. Easy way to gather data.

[Cinnamin_Long_Herrin]

I am in the adaptation phase and my heart rate is up which is why I did a search to find out if that was normal.

[rsw918]

My resting heart rate is normally 41-43 bpm, and I was paleo, not keto. I cut my carbs down to 15-20% and my heart resting rate spiked to 53 (I know, but its high for me). It scared me the first time so I went and ate some clean carbs :D. I’m going to still with it (its been about 2 weeks), measure keytones, and let you know how it goes.