HRV 101: What you need to know about heart rate variability
What is HRV?
Most people think the heart should beat regularly, like a ticking clock or a metronome. And to some extent this is true. The heartbeat is controlled by an area of the heart called the sinus node. Ideally, you want your heartbeat to stay in what is called “normal sinus rhythm”, however when in sinus rhythm, there can be slight variations in the time between consecutive heartbeats. We call this variation heart rate variability or HRV, and it represents the balance between the sympathetic (responsible for the "fight-or-flight" response) and parasympathetic (responsible for the "rest-and-digest" response) branches of the nervous system.
HRV is influenced by numerous factors such as respiration, stress, physical activity, emotional state, and overall health. Higher HRV is generally associated with a healthier and more flexible autonomic nervous system, indicating a better ability to adapt to different situations and stressors.
Your Remote Patient Monitoring Program
One of the key features of IBS is a disturbance in the balance between the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system, and for those diagnosed with IBS, parasympathetic activity is typically decreased, especially during times of symptom flare-u. Studies have shown that measuring HRV is an excellent way to measure the effectiveness of interventions for patients with IBS and further tailor treatment. It is through remote patient monitoring programs (RPM), like the one we offer at Salvo Health, that your clinical team can begin to closely analyze your HRV in tandem with selected habits to see what works for you and what doesn’t - that’s called whole PERSONalized care!
Tracking your daily HRV within your remote patient monitoring program is quite simple and involves the use of a portable device called an ECG (electrocardiogram) to measure your daily variability. The collected data is transmitted securely to your Care Team where it can be reviewed, analyzed, and acted upon. As you move through various modules, experiment with interventions, and track symptoms, these insights will enable your Care Team to identify any abnormalities or trends and make timely adjustments to your treatment plan.
Studies have proven that patients who participate in remote patient monitoring programs have been shown to improve confidence and ability of those with chronic conditions to self-manage their disease and to allow for earlier identification of exacerbations.