Why does holding your breath make your heart beat slower?
In: Biology
Because of lack of oxygen. Oxygen is a vital component for cells to live, so when you hold your breath you are essentially temporarily starving your body of its main life support. The heart will slow down as this conserves what little oxygen your body has left and the rate your cells consume it.
Your heart is continuously flexing, unlike most muscles, the heart reaches muscle failure when we use it less. Even controlled breathing will deprive your oxygen input, causing your resting heart to decrease its oxygen output, resulting in a slower heartbeat.
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