Karmin returns with a second in a series of blogs on using heart rate variability (HRV) testing to manage and improve one’s health.
She shows how home-based HRV testing can provide better information on how to pace oneself cognitively than heart rate testing, how the autonomic nervous system problems in ME/CFS/FM are not limited to issues with the flight/fight system, why yoga may be much better than isometric exercises and more. Plus, check out an ongoing HRV study you may be able to participate in
- Heart Rate Variability (HRV) An Underused ME/CFS/FM Management Tool: PT II – Surveying the Landscape
Health Rising’s Quickie Summer Donation Drive is On!
One caution in using Wahoo chest strap is making sure the battery is fully charged. When my battery runs down, HRV values increase by 10-20 points followed by HR spikes of 40-50 bpm a few days later. I was so alarmed that I saw a cardiologis who put me on a 2 week heart monitor and found nothing wrong. I changed the Wahoo battery and HRV values dropped to my normal values and HR spikes stopped. Did I feel ridiculous?!?
Also my HRV values were higher by 20-30 points for my age when I first started using Wahoo. I thought I was just an outlier, but when I after changing the battery, readings have consistently been in the normal range for my age except when battery gets low.
Thanks for sharing that Obie
I use the Oura ring which measures HRV in 5 minute periods throughout the night and gives the average. It is good because obviously it is the measurement at complete rest and so is not influenced by other variables. It also measures resting heart rate throughout the night, respiration rate and of course sleep stages so you can also see if over activity has effected your sleep stages, particularly deep sleep. It also measures any variation in body temperature which can also be affected by a crash. Obviously the other huge benefit is it is just a you wear all the time so there is no hassle with chest straps.
Thanks Michelle. I think the Bateman Horne center is checking out that tool.That’s a major advance if it works out well 🙂
The Center for Mindful Self-Compassion is offering a course ▸ Mindful Self-Compassion and Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback Program, starting Feb 1
The app used is compatible with these monitors:
KYTO Fitness Technology
Polar H9
Polar H10
BlueFeza HRM Blue
4iiii Viiiiva
I’m just finishing their intro MSC course and it would’ve been great to do with HRV
Thanks – was the course helpful?