More HRV Info
Vibrant Health MD Heart Rate Variability Analysis
Heart Rate Variability analysis is a computer based system that provides a Quantitative Assessment of the state of the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS). The ANS is the “self-governing”, automatic or independent part of the nervous system, which keeps the body functions in a steady, balanced state.
Heart Rate Variability measures key indicators of the ‘autonomic’ nervous system, the automatic ‘software of survival’ that regulates every aspect of your health, including digestion, respiration, heart beats, blood pressure and brain waves. Every organ and gland in your body is regulated by this system and its degree of balance or imbalance is directly related to your degree of health and wellbeing.
The ANS has short term and long term functions which operate in a narrow range (having predetermined set points). This system can become damaged from long term stimulation (caffeine, nicotine, junk foods, sugar, bad diet), chemical and toxin exposure (drugs, environmental pollution), stress, physical injuries and infections. Most diseases result from the failure of the ANS (example: heart failure, diabetes, cancer, neurodegenerative disorders). Thus, the Heart Rate Variability tool is an excellent method for finding out what stage a person is at, as well as looking inside the body to see what is occurring with the two parts of the ANS.
Testing your HRV has a threefold advantage: 1) It is a unique tool for measuring, monitoring and improving Fitness for everyone, from the sick and elderly who are trying to regain their health and vigor, to the amateur sports and fitness fans who try to stay in shape, to professional athletes seeking to improve their training and performance in pursuit of a world record, to Navy Seals ensuring their ability to perform their mission; 2) It is an ideal tool used by Practitioners to optimize their clients’ and their own nutrition, energy, vitality, general physical and emotional wellbeing; 3) It enables ANY individual to continuously identify, monitor, customize and optimize any internal or external factor affecting his/her life (physical/mental dysfunction, medications, stress) and activity (sleeping, working, exercise patterns) at any time.
The ANS has two parts that act against each other to keep the body in a surviving state:
A. Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS)
-reacts towards stress, mobilizing or preparing the body for emergency or stress situations. It is considered the “accelerator” of the nervous system. All the body actions and responses of a person being chased by a lion would be SNS reactions. It functions in quick responses. This part of the nervous system is located in the brain, spinal cord and adrenal glands and is responsible for the following:
-Acceleration of heart and lung action. -Inhibition of stomach and intestinal action.
-Constriction of blood vessels in many parts of the body. -Liberation of nutrients for muscular action.
-Dilation of pupil. -Relaxation of bladder, but sphincter closed.
-Inhibition of erection. -Release of stored sugar for energy.
B. Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS)
-reacts during rest times and relaxation. It is considered the “brakes” of the nervous system. It calls for rest and digestive responses. It is involved in deep sleep, normal digestion, erections in males, slows heart beats, reduces blood pressure, etc. The parasympathetic system is concerned with conservation and restoration of energy, increasing off-urine secretion, bronchial tube contraction, relaxation of sphincters, gastric secretions secreted, absorption of nutrients and consequently, the excretion of waste products. The system counters the SNS. It is well known that the autonomic response is the first human response to any physical, mental or cellular stress activity. Likewise, any pathological process will affect the ANS even before disease sets in. Most tissue of the body will react predominately to ONLY one of the autonomic systems. The pacemaker of the heart cells are the exception. The heart rate is an excellent factor to evaluate both systems –SNS and PNS. This is why the heart is used to measure both systems. Through assessing the heart rate changes in various positions, one can observe or see how the ANS is behaving.
Heart Rate Variability analysis is a computer based system that provides a Quantitative Assessment of the state of the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS). The ANS is the “self-governing”, automatic or independent part of the nervous system, which keeps the body functions in a steady, balanced state.
Heart Rate Variability measures key indicators of the ‘autonomic’ nervous system, the automatic ‘software of survival’ that regulates every aspect of your health, including digestion, respiration, heart beats, blood pressure and brain waves. Every organ and gland in your body is regulated by this system and its degree of balance or imbalance is directly related to your degree of health and wellbeing.
The ANS has short term and long term functions which operate in a narrow range (having predetermined set points). This system can become damaged from long term stimulation (caffeine, nicotine, junk foods, sugar, bad diet), chemical and toxin exposure (drugs, environmental pollution), stress, physical injuries and infections. Most diseases result from the failure of the ANS (example: heart failure, diabetes, cancer, neurodegenerative disorders). Thus, the Heart Rate Variability tool is an excellent method for finding out what stage a person is at, as well as looking inside the body to see what is occurring with the two parts of the ANS.
Testing your HRV has a threefold advantage: 1) It is a unique tool for measuring, monitoring and improving Fitness for everyone, from the sick and elderly who are trying to regain their health and vigor, to the amateur sports and fitness fans who try to stay in shape, to professional athletes seeking to improve their training and performance in pursuit of a world record, to Navy Seals ensuring their ability to perform their mission; 2) It is an ideal tool used by Practitioners to optimize their clients’ and their own nutrition, energy, vitality, general physical and emotional wellbeing; 3) It enables ANY individual to continuously identify, monitor, customize and optimize any internal or external factor affecting his/her life (physical/mental dysfunction, medications, stress) and activity (sleeping, working, exercise patterns) at any time.
The ANS has two parts that act against each other to keep the body in a surviving state:
A. Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS)
-reacts towards stress, mobilizing or preparing the body for emergency or stress situations. It is considered the “accelerator” of the nervous system. All the body actions and responses of a person being chased by a lion would be SNS reactions. It functions in quick responses. This part of the nervous system is located in the brain, spinal cord and adrenal glands and is responsible for the following:
-Acceleration of heart and lung action. -Inhibition of stomach and intestinal action.
-Constriction of blood vessels in many parts of the body. -Liberation of nutrients for muscular action.
-Dilation of pupil. -Relaxation of bladder, but sphincter closed.
-Inhibition of erection. -Release of stored sugar for energy.
B. Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS)
-reacts during rest times and relaxation. It is considered the “brakes” of the nervous system. It calls for rest and digestive responses. It is involved in deep sleep, normal digestion, erections in males, slows heart beats, reduces blood pressure, etc. The parasympathetic system is concerned with conservation and restoration of energy, increasing off-urine secretion, bronchial tube contraction, relaxation of sphincters, gastric secretions secreted, absorption of nutrients and consequently, the excretion of waste products. The system counters the SNS. It is well known that the autonomic response is the first human response to any physical, mental or cellular stress activity. Likewise, any pathological process will affect the ANS even before disease sets in. Most tissue of the body will react predominately to ONLY one of the autonomic systems. The pacemaker of the heart cells are the exception. The heart rate is an excellent factor to evaluate both systems –SNS and PNS. This is why the heart is used to measure both systems. Through assessing the heart rate changes in various positions, one can observe or see how the ANS is behaving.
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