8. Increased Heart Rate: The Subtle Physiological Changes
Not all symptoms of sleepwalking are overtly visible. Subtle physiological changes, like an elevated heart rate, often accompany nocturnal episodes. These changes, while not as recognizable, provide insights into the sleepwalker’s internal state.
The heart’s increased pace during a sleepwalking episode indicates heightened arousal. The body, despite being in a sleep state, reacts to the external environment and the dream scenarios playing out in the mind. This dual engagement drives the heart to beat faster.
Interestingly, this elevated heart rate isn’t necessarily linked to physical activity. A sleepwalker might be merely sitting or standing, yet their heart races, responding to unseen stimuli. It’s a physiological manifestation of the internal emotional and cognitive turbulence.
To those monitoring a sleepwalker, this symptom might be hard to detect without specialized equipment. However, upon waking, the individual might feel palpitations or an unexplained sense of fatigue, hinting at the nocturnal cardiovascular activity.
Though this symptom delves into the realm of the unseen, it’s a stark reminder of the complexities of sleepwalking. The mind and body, even in repose, are deeply interconnected, responding and adapting to both real and imagined scenarios. (8)
