Resting heart rate dropped 8 bpm in 6 weeks — what actually changed
My RHR was 72 bpm in early June. By mid-July, it's 64 bpm. I didn't start a new exercise program. Three things changed:
- Sleep: 7.5+ hours consistently (was 6-6.5)
- Caffeine cutoff: No coffee after 2pm (was drinking until 5pm)
- Post-dinner walk: 10 minutes, every night
The biggest impact was sleep. When I get 7.5+ hours, my RHR the next morning is 2-3 bpm lower. Stacking all three changes over 6 weeks gave me the 8 bpm drop.
If your RHR is high and you want to lower it, start with sleep. It's the single biggest lever.
— Sarah