A commonly ignored measurement on your fitness tracker could be “the best health indicator in the world.” Doctors said.
Heart rate variability (HRV) occurs when the time between individual heartbeats fluctuates slightly.
And the degree of variability can be a crucial indicator of current or future health problems.
In general, higher HRV is considered beneficial because it results in greater fluctuations between beats, making the organ more resilient to stress.
Little or no variation in the time between heartbeats can indicate that the body is in “fight-or-flight mode”: the nervous system has detected a threat or stressor.
It can be caused by heart disease and psychological problems such as anxiety Depression.
Studies have shown that heart rate variability is linked to increased and decreased risk of chronic diseases
Studies have shown that higher HRV is associated with a lower risk of heart disease, while low HRV is associated with high blood pressure and diabetes.
Heart rate variability should not be confused with the serious condition arrhythmia – when the heart beats in an irregular or abnormal rhythm.
In cardiac arrhythmias, which can lead to heart failure, stroke or cardiac arrest, the variance between intervals is significantly greater: more than 0.12 seconds.
In the medical field, doctors measure HRV using a device called an electrocardiogram machine (also called an EKG).
According to dr. However, according to Dr. George Lundberg, pathologist and editor of the online medical journal Medscape, up to 40 percent of all smartwatches or personal fitness monitors measure HRV.
Some devices send real-time results back to a connected smartphone 24/7 – and more than 100 million Americans use the trackers.
More than 100 million Americans use smartwatches or personal fitness monitors, and up to 40 percent of smartwatches or personal fitness monitors measure heart rate variability (HRV), which some doctors say is the “best measure of health in the world.”
Experts said that significant changes in HRV can be linked to a variety of mental and physical illnesses, including post-traumatic stress disorder, sleep disorders, depression, cardiac arrhythmias, overexertion and certain medications.
The normal range of HRV, measured in milliseconds, averages less than 100 milliseconds for children under 10 years old. It decreases by about 10 milliseconds per decade lived.
Between the ages of 30 and 40 the average is 70 milliseconds; at the age of 60-70 it is 40 milliseconds; and between 90 and 100 years it is 10 milliseconds.
Dr. Ross Hauser, a chronic pain doctor in Florida, said HRV is the optimal indicator of a number of things, including “whether you’re going to live a long life or not, whether you’re going to get sick or not” in the near future “Even if you get a sports injury.”
Between the ages of 30 and 40 the average HRV is 70 milliseconds and between the ages of 60 and 70 it is 40 milliseconds
This is probably because HRV shows how well the body can cope with physical and mental challenges. Constant stress and insufficient physiological recovery from that stress can make the nervous system “fragile” and lead to lower HRV.
Dr. George Lundberg, a pathologist and editor-in-chief of Medscape, emphasized the importance of measurement in a recent editorial.
Men and women experience DIFFERENT symptoms 24 hours before cardiac arrest
Experts warn that the symptoms of cardiac arrest are different for men and women.
He wrote that HRV can be a “simple but powerful tool for monitoring general health and well-being.”
HRV is controlled by a part of the nervous system called the autonomic nervous system, which regulates functions such as heart rate, blood pressure, breathing and digestion.
When your system is in fight-or-flight mode, the variability between heart rates is usually lower, but when the system is in a more relaxed state, HRV can be higher.
Medications and devices such as pacemakers can also affect HRV, distorting results and sometimes showing reduced HRV.
Low HRV can be a sign of current or future health problems as it shows that the body is having trouble coping with changing situations such as stress, poor sleep, unhealthy diet, dysfunctional relationships, isolation or loneliness and lack of exercise.
HRV score can be improved by managing stress, exercising regularly, eating a balanced diet, getting enough sleep and not smoking or drinking too much.
A “large and relatively old literature on heart rhythm” links changes in HRV to a number of things, including “PTSD, occupational stress in physicians, sleep disorders, depression, various cardiac arrhythmias, fatigue, overexertion, medications, and age itself.” said dr. Lundberg wrote.
Proper study and sharing of HRV data will determine its usefulness, Dr. Lundberg added because “credible research on this massive amount of data collected by wearable devices is lacking.”
Dr. Marcelo Campos, a general practitioner in Boston, warned not to be “overconfident when heart rate variability is high or overly concerned when heart rate variability is low,” as the relationship between heart rate variability and body function continues Research is needed. Research.
“Think of HRV as another way to make your body and mind respond to your daily experiences,” he said.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, most wrist-worn devices track heart rate through the skin, which means they may not be sensitive enough to accurately detect heart rate variability.
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Crystal Leahy is an author and health journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a background in health and wellness, Crystal has a passion for helping people live their best lives through healthy habits and lifestyles.
