Heart Rate Variability?: Hi I had a... - British Heart Fou...

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Heart Rate Variability?

baltibob profile image
6 Replies

Hi

I had a cardiac arrest at home in February and another one shortly after arriving at hospital. I was induced into a coma and had an angiogram and then a stent fitted, and was in ICU for four days. My LFEV was measured at 30-35%. That's the short story, and I'm very lucky to stillbe here and to be able to tell the tale.

Previously I had no problems, didn't smoke or drink and was reasonably fit, doing regular running. I have a Garmin watch and prior to the event it would my HRV would measure around 50-60ms. Post cardiac event it was 30-35ms and more recently 35-42ms.

I have been doing lots of exercise over the last few months, mostly walking, then the exercise bike, and I also did cardio rehab. In the last couple of weeks I started doing walk/jog on the treadmill (repetitions of 5 min walk and then 3 min light jog). I'm not pushing myself hard, but this has got my heart pumping more and it feels ok. I noticed that since I started the walk/jog exercise, my HRV readings have jumped up to 47-52.

I may be overanalysing things, but this feels like a good indication - I know that a higher HRV is good, but I don't really understand the link between HRV and heart conditions.

Does anyone have any thoughts on this?

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baltibob
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6 Replies
AAJJTt profile image
AAJJTt

Hi, I came to these forums due to a heart attack (nstemi type II) and a subsequent atrial fibrillation diagnosis (the suspected root cause of the former) - 5+ years ago.

HRV has gained more attention in recent times due to the proliferation of devices that can measure it. I have a Polar Vantage 3 and H10 which can capture a lot of data including HRV.

I think HRV is difficult to interpret. It decreases as you age, and it’s very personalised; variability that’s normal in one person may not be normal for someone else. I haven’t seen any direct comparisons between it and heart conditions. I think it’s more a holistic indicator of your overall health. Heart rhythms are complex and you need professional healthcare people to correctly interpret them.

I keep an interest in articles about HRV but it’s not drawing my attention. I still keep very active, with weekly running and cycling sessions. I monitor and measure my performance but that concentrates on time, distance, HR zones and most importantly, how I am feeling.

Regards

CyclingTime profile image
CyclingTime

Just the same view as yourself, a higher HRV seems to indicate better health. I do notice if I have a couple of drinks and I do mean just a couple then my HRV overnight drops a huge amount.

I can also tell if I have overtrained as it drops but not anywhere near as drastically as alcohol causes. A couple of rest days and all back to normal. I use a Garmin watch as well.

DWizza profile image
DWizza in reply toCyclingTime

It’s amazing the effect alcohol has on my readings too, body battery always takes a bashing after a couple of pints particularly in the evening at a social . I dint mind driving to socials these days 🤣

Hazeg profile image
Hazeg

Hi

Blackknight57 profile image
Blackknight57

i never understood hrv. Mine is 35, at 18 months post mi.

My lvef is 38%

Snowflake01 profile image
Snowflake01

Hi, similar to your 'elevated HRV' experience, my HRV value (Garmin based) today is elevated to just above my 'Baseline' zone (i.e. 'Unbalanced'), ... have recently done a few walk / short jog intervals with no problems and feel my fitness is improving.

But, because it is above the 'Baseline' zone / 'Unbalanced' (only by 1), the Garmin App is advising (nagging) me to 'take more time to recovery and to rest', which is about right as I am more tired than usual and may need temper my enthusiasm to get out there.

As per your observation, I think it is a good sign, though stepping up exercise intensity too quickly might not be so good for overall recovery. Probably don't need my watch to tell me this, but a helpful reality check, even if nagging 🙂

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