Heart Rate Variability

Heart rate variability (HRV) is defined as the amount of fluctuation in the length of the intervals between heartbeats. Thus, the more regularly one’s heart beats, the lower is one’s HRV, and the less regularly one’s heart beats, the greater is one’s HRV. These intervals in time are known as R-R intervals and can be measured on an electrocardiogram, otherwise known as an ECG/EKG. The ECG/EKG translates the heart’s electrical signals into a waveform, which can then be measured. These measurements can then be studied and applied to research. Over years of research, a link between HRV and health has been noted. Generally speaking, a low HRV correlates with poor physical and mental health outcomes and a higher HRV correlates with positive physical and mental ...