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Heart Rate Variability (HRV)

Meaning

Heart Rate Variability (HRV) is a critical physiological phenomenon that quantifies the millisecond-level variations in the time intervals occurring between consecutive heartbeats, thereby reflecting the dynamic, continuous balance of the autonomic nervous system (ANS). A high HRV is generally considered indicative of a healthy, highly adaptable ANS, suggesting robust parasympathetic, or “rest and digest,” activity and high physiological reserve. Conversely, a consistently low HRV is frequently associated with chronic physiological stress, systemic inflammation, and significantly reduced physiological resilience, serving as a non-invasive, quantifiable biomarker for overall health status and allostatic load.