In this study, overall regulatory capacity was a significant predictor of overall health status, but autonomic balance was not. For example, in the Chicago Health, Aging and Social Relations Study, separate metrics for the assessment of autonomic balance and overall cardiac autonomic regulation were developed and tested in a sample of 229 participants. īased on indirect evidence, reduced HRV may correlate with disease and mortality because it reflects reduced regulatory capacity and ability to adapt/ respond to physiological challenges such as exercise. Age-adjusted HRV that is low has been confirmed as a strong, independent predictor of future health problems in both healthy people and in patients with known coronary artery disease and correlates with all-cause mortality. It has been shown that HRV declines with age and that age-adjusted values should be used in the context of risk prediction. Reduced HRV also was found to be a higher risk factor of death post-myocardial infarction than other known risk factors. In the 1970s, reduced HRV was shown to predict autonomic neuropathy in diabetic patients before the onset of symptoms. The importance of HRV as an index of the functional status of physiological control systems was noted as far back as 1965, when it was found that fetal distress was preceded by reductions in HRV before any changes occurred in heart rate. While too much instability, such as arrhythmias or nervous system chaos, is detrimental to efficient physiological functioning and energy utilization, too little variation indicates age-related system depletion, chronic stress, pathology or inadequate functioning in various levels of self-regulatory control systems. This pattern of heart-rate accelerations and decelerations is the basis of the heart’s rhythms.Īn optimal level of HRV within an organism reflects healthy function and an inherent self-regulatory capacity, adaptability, and resilience. The time between each of the heartbeats (blue line) between 0 and approximately 13 seconds becomes progressively shorter and heart rate accelerates and then starts to decelerate around 13 seconds. The electrocardiogram (ECG) is shown on the bottom and the instantaneous heart rate is shown by the blue line. These fluctuations in heart rate result from complex, nonlinear interactions among a number of different physiological systems (Figure 3.1).įigure 3.1 Heart rate variability is a measure of the normally occurring beat-to-beat changes in heart rate. The irregular behavior of the heartbeat is readily apparent when heart rate is examined on a beat-to-beat basis, but is overlooked when a mean value over time is calculated. The investigation of the heart’s complex rhythms, or HRV began with the emergence of modern signal processing in the 1960s and 1970s and has rapidly expanded in more recent times. Many of HMI’s research studies have examined the influence of emotions on the ANS utilizing analysis of heart rate variability/heart rhythms, which reflects heart-brain interactions and autonomic nervous system dynamics. This also suggests that the evolution and healthy function of the ANS determines the boundaries for the range of one’s emotional expression, quality of communication and the ability to self-regulate emotions and behaviors. This implies that measurements of vagal activity could serve as a marker for one’s ability to self-regulate. This system underlies one’s ability to self-regulate and calm oneself by inhibiting sympathetic outflow to targets like the heart and adrenal glands. The healthy function of the social engagement system depends upon the proper functioning of the vagus nerves, which act as a vagal brake. We can self-regulate and initiate pro-social behaviors when we encounter challenges, disagreements and stressors. As human beings, we are not limited to fight, flight, or freeze responses. Considerable evidence suggests evolution of the ANS, specifically the vagus nerves, was central to development of emotional experience, the ability to self-regulate emotional processes and social behavior and that it underlies the social engagement system. It is well known that mental and emotional states directly affect activity in the ANS.Īs a complex system in which both efferent (descending) and afferent (ascending) vagal (parasympathetic) neurons regulate adaptive responses. The ANS also controls many other vital activities such as respiration, and it interacts with immune and hormonal system functions. The autonomic nervous system (ANS) (Figure 1.1) is the part of the nervous system that controls the body’s internal functions, including heart rate, gastrointestinal tract and secretions of many glands. Heart Rate Variability: An Indicator of Self-Regulatory Capacity, Autonomic Function and Health Find a Certified HeartMath Professional.Stress & Well-Being Assessment Provider.Mentor Certification / Coach Enrichment.
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