Heart rate variability
Heart rate variability
Heart rate variability (HRV) is the physiological phenomenon of variation in the time interval between heartbeats. It is measured by the variation in the beat-to-beat interval.
Pronunciation
- IPA: /hɑːrt reɪt ˌvɛərɪəˈbɪlɪti/
Etymology
The term "heart rate variability" is derived from the words "heart", "rate", and "variability". "Heart" comes from the Old English heorte, "rate" comes from the Latin rata, and "variability" comes from the Latin variabilis.
Definition
Heart rate variability is a measure of the variation in time between each heartbeat. This variation is controlled by the autonomic nervous system. It is considered an important indicator of health and fitness.
Related terms
- Autonomic nervous system: The part of the nervous system responsible for control of the bodily functions not consciously directed, such as breathing, the heartbeat, and digestive processes.
- Sympathetic nervous system: The part of the autonomic nervous system that serves to speed up the heart rate, constrict blood vessels, and raise blood pressure.
- Parasympathetic nervous system: The part of the autonomic nervous system that slows the heart rate, increases intestinal and gland activity, and relaxes sphincter muscles.
- Electrocardiography: The process of recording the electrical activity of the heart over a period of time using electrodes placed on the skin.
- Cardiac cycle: The complete cycle of events in the heart from the beginning of one heart beat to the beginning of the next.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Heart rate variability
- Wikipedia's article - Heart rate variability
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