Heart rate variability (HRV) is the beat-to-beat variation in heart rhythm. HRV is a measure of your body’s ability to react to changes in your life and accurately predicts states of stress and inflammation. Short-term changes reflect current energy expenditures, stress, emotional states, and cognitive work load.
The measure of your HRV applies to health on multiple levels; cardiology, mental health, sleep health, lifestyle, intensive care unit settings, blood pressure, remote monitoring, oncology, brain health, and addiction. In a medical setting, an electrocardiogram accurately detects HRV. Although not as accurate, modern wearable technology advancement has commonly increased its awareness.
As emotional response is regulated, and higher HRV is achieved, stress is better managed and this protects gut health long term. You see, cortisol is a hormone of stress and long term exposure to elevated cortisol negatively impacts the microbiome leading to irritable bowels, heartburn, reflux, reduction in healthy levels of beneficial bacteria like Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. Chronically elevated cortisol increases Candida yeast in the gut, mast cell activation, increased inflammatory markers like IL-6, histamine, reduced serotonin, GABA production and increased dopamine anxiety and depression. All of this leads to inflammatory state in the gut which weakens immunity and promotes permeability in the lining and body wide inflammation.
What’s better low or high HRV?
High HRV means a more coherent, healthy state. Higher HRV is linked to DHEA hormone and naturally tends to emerge with the activation of heartfelt, positive emotions such as love, care or appreciation for someone or something that you know. When you are in the flow, easily moving through life, your HRV is high.
Low HRV means poor health outcomes. Lower HRV and negative depleting emotions are tied to higher levels of cortisol. When you get stuck in negative depleting emotions your HRV is low.
Can I control my HRV?
You have the power to change your HRV. The heart is muscle. Muscle has memory and can be trained. Devices that provide personal biofeedback are very helpful. You too can learn through scientifically validated tools to embrace a sense of calm energy.
Each beat-to-beat variation of the heart is tied to a signature emotion. Emotions produce different information patterns in the HRV and thus the heart’s electromagnetic field. Emotions should neither be ignored nor placed in charge. They are meant to wash in, cleanse your soul and wash back out again. If emotions are not fully processed, they get stuck in you. Then you get stuck.
You have the power to access your heart’s intuitive intelligence and you can shift your feelings from frustration, anxiety, anger or resentment to become more balanced, joyful and productive. With heart-focused intention, breath work and heart muscle training, you can increase your HRV and viability for life.
Questions? Ask HeartMath Certified Practitioner drlaura@southendguelph.ca
