HRV and exercise

[rebtar]

I have very low HRV. It varies between 12 and at most 20, generally in the lower end of range. Not surprising considering autonomic dysfunction and anxiety/depression history. My functional medicine doctor (not neurologist) says zone 2 exercise is better for improving HRV, and that I should limit intense exercise. I'm not sure if this makes sense in the context of PD, as the more intense exercise has always improved my mood and symptoms. I'm inclined to continue the intense exercise at least 2-3 times a week (I do 50 minutes on an elliptical, 30 min try to stay as close to 80% max heart rate as I can), and somewhat less intense the rest of the time (usually hiking). And increase meditation practice and other relaxing activities...

HRV is Heart Rate Variability. It means the variability in time between heartbeats. A high variability corresponds to a healthy parasympathetic (rest and digest) nervous system, one that can respond to the changing demands on it. A low variability means that your nervous system isn't flexible in it's response to demands, and that the sympathetic nervous system (fight or flight) tends to dominate. Over-exercising tends to lower HRV. Adequate exercise with sufficient recovery time tends to increase it.

Low HRV is common in depression and anxiety, chronic disease, and tends to lower with age.

Any thoughts on this?

[Grumpy77]

Thanks for editing your post to include the definition of HRV, thus i have edited mine too

[Dap1948]

I don’t get myself too worried about HRV and just give myself a pat on the back when I’ve walked round our hilly Scottish village for 40 - 50 minutes. I go as fast as I feel able to that day. Monitoring my HRV would give me something else to worry about when I know that doing exercise regularly and pushing myself a bit is all that’s important.

[kaypeeoh]

Being able to run or bike at 80% of max heart rate--without passing out--is what elite athletes do. It means the cardio vasculature is working at maximum efficiency. It means oxygenated blood is getting to all parts of the brain and body. It means mitochondria is working as it should, pushing the Krebs cycle to produce energy. All of this sounds good to me. I don't see any down-side to it. I quit counting marathons when I passed #50. I've gotten slower with age but I'm still motivated to try. These days I use a treadmill and can get my heart rate well above the calculated maximum; 220 minus my age.

Good on ya.