Heart rate variability

A healthy heart does not always beat the same way. It is constantly striving to adapt to external circumstances and requirements. On the one hand, it has to beat faster under stress, for example during sports, in order to supply the muscles with more blood. On the other hand, during breaks and at night it should come to rest and beat more slowly in order to regenerate. This balance between tension and relaxation is essential for good health.

The heartbeat, like all essential functional processes in the human organism, is controlled by the autonomic nervous system, also called the autonomic nervous system. The sympathetic nervous system ("performance nerve") has a stimulating effect on the heart and the parasympathetic nervous system ("resting nerve") has a calming effect. This control via the nerves takes place unconsciously and cannot be influenced directly, at most indirectly by deep breathing.

The main task of the autonomic nervous system is to keep the entire system in balance and to adapt the inner milieu to the constantly changing conditions and requirements of our existence. 

Health is made measurable

A heart variability (HRV) analysis is suitable for measuring and assessing the condition, i.e. the balance and adaptability of the autonomic nervous system. The heartbeat can be used to show how well the body's processes function. It is a highly valid measurement that corresponds to any gold standard literature. Meanwhile, HRV measurement is a scientifically recognized method and there are already more than 3000 research papers available.

What is the HRV

HRV is the ability of the organism to change and adapt the frequency of the heart rhythm via the autonomic nervous system. 

The HRV measurement is made by means of an electrocardiogram (ECG) and is performed like a 24-hour ECG measurement. However, unlike the classic ECG, HRV measurement involves different data. The classic ECG is a curve that can be divided into different sections, each of which is based on very specific electrophysiological processes in the heart. In HRV, however, the heart rate, which describes the time between two heartbeats, is of interest. Of course, medical/cardiological assessment of a measurement, for example whether atrial fibrillation or arrhythmias are present, can also be made. However, this belongs to the field of cardiology and is usually not included in the HRV discussion. However, if the patient wishes, a meeting with the cardiologist can be offered.

In this way the finely tuned changes in the heartbeat sequence can be made visible. Especially the interplay between sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system can be shown well. Thus, HRV analysis is an important measuring instrument for the regulatory capacity, vitality and health of the heart and thus of the entire organism. 

For whom is an HRV analysis suitable?

HRV measurement has become a well-proven tool for studying the autonomic nervous system and is suitable for anyone who wants to learn more about the following points: 

  • Balance between the sympathetic/parasympathetic nervous system during the day and at night

  • Relaxation and regeneration ability

  • Stress exposure

  • Sleep quality and sleep patterns

  • Readiness to perform

  • Training condition

  • Various health problems 

How can heart rate variability then be influenced?

Several factors can influence HRV including diet, constitution, psyche, pollutants, organic disorders such as metabolic diseases or thyroid dysfunction, medications, and stress at work and in daily life. 

For example, a lot of stress, physical or psychological, leads to a disproportionate activation of the sympathetic nervous system. The body is in a state of alarm and under pressure to perform. This also affects the heart. The pulse may be elevated and may not come to rest even at night or during breaks. This leads to a decrease in HRV. 

In contrast, HRV can also be positively influenced and improved. It's never too late for that. Long-term studies prove that quality of life and life expectancy can be increased with better HRV values. Through a healthy and balanced lifestyle, through the targeted and individualized intake of micronutrients, stressors can be minimized and the body can be supplied with the missing substances, thus improving HRV. Depending on your state of health, plant substances also help very well. 

The best heart rate variability is achieved in a balanced state when the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems are equally active. We would like to achieve and strengthen this state. 

Supplements to HRV measurement

A useful supplement to HRV analysis is the comparison with other laboratory and examination values. The HRV measurement method is not specific, i.e. no concrete symptoms or diseases can be diagnosed with it. However, if HRV is reduced, this always indicates a disorder or disease in the organism. If a person is found to have decreased HRV levels, the aim is to find the stressor and reduce it.

HRV measurements at Wise Medicine

At Wise Medicine, we offer HRV measurements and then discuss the results of the measurement with you. In this way, weaknesses can be identified, but also resources can be strengthened. This also includes a micronutrient consultation tailored to your needs. 

 

Bibliography

  • Applehans, B. M., & Luecken, L. J. (2006). Heart Rate Variability as an Index of Regulated Emotional Responding. Review of General Psychology , 10 (3), 229-240.

  • Dong, J.-G. (2016). The role of heart rate variability in sports physiology. Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine, 11 (5), 1531-1536.

  • Eller-Berndl, D. (2015). Heart rate variability. Publishing house of the doctors.

  • Kleiger, R. E. (2005). Heart Rate Variability: Measurement and Clinical Utility. Annal in noninvasive electrocardiology, 10 (1), 88-101.

  • Lohninger, A. (2017). Heart rate variability. facultas.

  • Malik, M. (1996). Heart rate variability: Standards of measurement, physiological interpretation, and clinical use. European Heart Journal , 17 (3), 354-381.

  • Porges, S. W. (2007). The Polyvagal Perspective. Biologist Psychol, 74 (2), 116-143.

  • Shaffer, F. (2014). A healthy heart is not a metronome: an integrative review of the heart's anatomy and heart rate variability Frontiers in psycology , 5 (1040).

  • Tiller, W. A. (1996). Cardiac Coherence: A New, Noninvasive Measure of Autonomic Nervous System Order. Alternative therapies health and medicine, 2 (1), 52-65.

 

Martina Fernandez