Heart Rate Variability

What is heart rate variability?

What is the connection between heart rate variability and stress?

How can you evaluate heart rate variability?

Are there any standards for that sort of measurement?

What can I do to improve my heart rate variability?

What are the benefits of optimizing HRV and balancing the ANS?

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What is heart rate variability?

Heart rate variability, or HRV, is the natural rise and fall of your heart rate in response to your breathing, blood pressure, hormones and even emotions. In a healthy heart the rate should increase as you inhale and decrease as you exhale. HRV is reflective of the general wellness state of the organism.

What is the connection between heart rate variability and stress?

Research has shown that HRV is a valuable indicator and predictor of "burnout" states that result in the inability of the body to respond to external and internal stress. A lack of variability is often seen in coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, hypertension, and arrhythmias as well as an increase in opportunistic infections (herpes, colds, and flu). The greater the variability, the healthier the entire system and the more "response-able" you are to the impact of acute and chronic stressors.

How can you evaluate heart rate variability?

We offer a special computer program, Heart Rhythm Scanner, that provides detailed information on heart rate variability and autonomic nervous system balance. It is an easy and quick way to evaluate one's level of stress and ability to handle further stress loads. Unlike a traditional ECG, the person being evaluated only needs to attach a sensor to the earlobe or wrists (depending on the device model). The system takes various measurements and puts them in a graph form for you or your patient to review.

Are there any standards for that sort of measurement?

Yes! A task force was created in 1994 - the Task Force of the European Society of Cardiology and the North American Society of Pacing and Electrophysiology - to determine that very thing. Our programs conform to these standards.

What can I do to improve my heart rate variability?

Making healthful changes can improve heart rate variability. We offer other computer programs - HeartTracker, the AeroTIC line, and Stress Nine-One-One - that assist in this endeavor.

What are the benefits of optimizing HRV and balancing the ANS?

Increasing your heart rate variability can help you adapt more quickly to physical and emotional stress. Research also indicates that optimizing HRV and balancing the ANS can support improvement in a variety of conditions including headaches, IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, allergies, asthma, panic attacks, anxiety disorders, and depression. It can even assist in weight loss and antiaging!

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