Heart Rate Variability: Measurement and Clinical Utility

Abstract

Electrocardiographic RR intervals fluctuate cyclically, modulated by ventilation, baroreflexes, and other genetic and environmental factors that are mediated through the autonomic nervous system. Short term electrocardiographic recordings (5 to 15 minutes), made under controlled conditions, e.g., lying supine or standing or tilted upright can elucidate physiologic, pharmacologic, or pathologic changes in autonomic nervous system function. Long‐term, usually 24‐hour recordings, can be used to assess autonomic nervous responses during normal daily activities in health, disease, and in response to therapeutic interventions, e.g., exercise or drugs. RR interval variability is useful for assessing risk of cardiovascular death or arrhythmic events, especially when combined with other tests, e.g., left ventricular ejection fraction or ventricular arrhythmias.

Effects of passive smoking on heart rate variability, heart rate and blood pressure: an observational study

“…4,28 Our observations are in agreement with the findings of Pope, who described a short-term decrease in all HRV domains after acute exposure to ETS, but with relatively high standard errors in HF. 12 LF, which is considered to represent both sympathetic and parasympathetic activities, 29 was lower in subjects with higher ETS exposure. We also observed ETS-associated increases in heart rate and, more weakly, in DBP, consistent with increases in sympathetic stimulation.…”

Asymmetric features of short-term blood pressure variability

“…[1][2][3][4][5][6] Various physiological oscillations (for example, respiration, Mayer waves) and cardiovascular reflexes (for example, arterial and cardiopulmonary baroreflexes) are responsible for HRV and BPV. [1][2][3][4][6][7][8][9] A number of mathematical approaches like the time-domain analysis, spectral analysis, graphic or nonlinear methods have been applied in the analysis of HRV and BPV.…”

“…[1][2][3][4][6][7][8][9] A number of mathematical approaches like the time-domain analysis, spectral analysis, graphic or nonlinear methods have been applied in the analysis of HRV and BPV. [1][2][3][4][5][6][9][10][11][12][13] Even though heart rate and blood pressure are different cardiovascular signals, very often the same techniques are used for the quantification of both HRV and BPV. 1,[3][4][5][6][7][8][9]13 On the other hand, descriptors of baroreflex function like baroreflex sensitivity and baroreflex delay (the delay of sinus node response to a change in blood pressure) reflect the blood pressure influence on heart rate more directly.…”

Efeito do exercício aeróbico durante as sessões de hemodiálise na variabilidade da frequência cardíaca e na função ventricular esquerda em pacientes com doença renal crônica

“…3,12,17,18 The HRV reduction in patients with CKD is considered a risk factor for the occurrence of cardiac arrhythmias, and is associated with a higher cardiovascular mortality. 4,5 Cashion et al 19 , assessing hemodialysis patients by use of 24-hour Holter to study HRV in the time and frequency domains for a period of two years, have reported that the reduction in the SDNN, LF, and LF/HF parameters predicted cardiovascular death, especially sudden death.…”