Heart Rate Variability

Heart Rate Variability (HRV) which can be defined as the cyclic variations in sinus ry th ın, gives information about the sympathetic and parasympathetic balance thus it is regarded as an indicator of ca rdiac otonomic tane and cardiorespiratuar system. In selected patient populations, analys is of Heart Rate Variability (HRV) yields important information about sinoatrial responsiveness to autonomic input and mortality risk stratification. Clinical use of depressed HR V has been proved as a predictor of risk after acute myocardial infaretion and as an early warning sign of diabetic neuropathy. However, routine application of HRV analysis to cardiovascular medicine awaits further investigation. The purpose of this article is to provide a brief overview of techniques used in analyzing HRV, to review of heart rate s ignal processing as it relates to autonomic input to the heart and to various elinical cardiovascular conditions, and to summarize the effects of some drugs and interventions on HRV.