Why is Heart Rate Variability Important?

Studying the heart provides us with a vast amount of information about our body. From beat to beat, heart rate is constantly changing to meet the needs of life. Heart rate variability (HRV) means the variation in time between consecutive heartbeats. It is universally accepted as a non-invasive marker of autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity. A variety of physiological phenomena affect HRV, including:

• Inhalation and exhalation, control of breathing
• Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) adjustments
• Hormonal reactions
• Metabolic processes and energy expenditure
• Physical activity, exercise and recovery from physical activity
• Movements and changes in posture
• Cognitive processes and mental load
• Stress reactions, relaxation, and emotional reactions