HRV Influencing Factors

Heart Rate Variability (HRV) reflects our body’s relaxation system and how it influences our heart. It’s linked to our mental state, emotions, stress, health, and social interactions. We aim to understand what affects this connection. There are two main ideas: it affects how we think and connect with others. Genes play a role, but various factors can change this. By organizing and understanding these factors, we can grasp how this connection impacts our lives and improve our understanding. We’re using a smart way to organize this information based on how our bodies and the world work together (see the references, 1.-65.).

Unifying Conceptual Framework of Factors Influencing Cardiac Vagal Control

This figure shows how our body’s “coach” (the central autonomic network) talks to our heart. The coach considers lots of things like our feelings, surroundings, and our body’s abilities. It then guides our heart on how to beat effectively, known as cardiac vagal control (CVC). This control is crucial for how well we handle life’s challenges. The figure helps us see how all these parts work together and affect how we feel and act (1.).

  • Cardiac Vagal Control (CVC) (1.):

      • Represents how the vagus nerve influences heart activity.
      • Reflects the heart’s ability to respond and adapt.

  • Heart Rate Variability (HRV):

      • Measures the variation in time intervals between heartbeats.
      • Indicates the flexibility of the autonomic nervous system.

  • Connection:

    • CVC controls the heart via the vagus nerve.
    • Higher CVC leads to increased HRV, signifying a more adaptable autonomic system.

Person

    • Biological Factors (2.-13.):

        • Stable Characteristics (2.-5.): Gender, age, body composition (amount of fat and muscle), ethnicity, and genetics influence HRV. Generally, women have higher HRV than men, and HRV tends to decrease with age. More body fat is linked to lower HRV.
        • Transient Characteristics (6.-13.): Temporary factors like weight loss, body position (sitting, standing, lying down), sleep patterns, bladder fullness, breathing, blood pressure, body temperature, and hormones can affect HRV.

  • Somatic Interventions and Stimulation (14.-20.):

    • Pharmacologic Factors (14.,15.): Certain medicines and substances can either increase or decrease HRV. Examples include medications for depression, high blood pressure, and substances like alcohol.
    • Vagus Nerve Stimulation (16.,19.): Directly stimulating a nerve called the vagus nerve (which helps control many body functions) can increase HRV. This can be done through non-invasive methods too.
    • Brain Stimulation (17.,18.): Techniques that involve stimulating the brain, such as using magnets or electrical currents, can affect HRV by changing how the brain works.
    • Other Interventions (20.): Techniques like applying pressure to certain neck areas, stimulating the esophagus, breathing in oxygen, and using certain devices to aid breathing can influence HRV.

  • Behavioral Strategies (21.-37.):

    • Nutrition (21.-28.): What you eat and drink can affect HRV. Some foods and supplements, like fatty fish and certain vitamins, can increase HRV.
    • Non-Ingestive Oral Habits (29.-30.): Habits related to the mouth, like smoking or chewing gum, can lower HRV.
    • Other Strategies (31.-37.): Activities like being in water, cooling the body, getting enough good-quality sleep, using relaxation techniques, practicing specific breathing patterns, engaging in music, and regular exercise can positively affect HRV.

Environment

Social Environment (38.-41.):

  • Contact with Humans (38.-40.):
      • When we’re close to people, especially during early stages of life, our HRV tends to be higher. Physical touch and support from loved ones can boost HRV.
  • Contact with Animals (41.):
      • Spending time with animals, like having a pet or going for a walk with a dog, can also increase our HRV. Animals can have a very positive effect on how our body responds.
  • Overall, being around people and animals is good for our HRV, making us feel better and healthier.

Physical Environment (42.-53.):

  • Aromas (42.,43.):
  • Certain scents, like lavender or pine tree aromas, can make our HRV go up. They have a calming effect on our body.
  • Lights (44.):
  • Being exposed to natural or bright light can enhance HRV, especially if we’re feeling down or depressed.
  • Sounds (excluding music) (45.,46.):
  • Pleasant sounds like nature can improve HRV, while unpleasant sounds can make it go down. It’s important to pay attention to the sounds around us.
  • Temperature (47.,48.):
  • Being in a cool or moderate temperature environment is better for our HRV. Very hot environments can bring it down.
  • Outdoor Environment (49.,50.):
  • Being in nature, like a forest or park, can boost HRV. Fresh air and green spaces are good for our well-being.
  • Altitude (51.-53.):
  • Living in higher places affects HRV. Initially, it might decrease, but over time, it can return to normal or even become better for our health.
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Person/Environment

  • Physical stressors (54.):

      • Involve physical demands on the body that trigger a vagal withdrawal, preparing the body for the fight or flight response.
      • Physical stressors include exercise, fatigue, and high or low ambient temperatures.

  • Mental stressors (55.-57.):

    • Arise from the person’s perception of demands exceeding their resources, affecting CVC and being associated with emotional and cognitive challenges.
    • Mental stressors include anxiety, trauma, and pressure from various sources.

  • Health-related stressors (58.-62.):

      • Include pain, inflammation, and fatigue, as well as symptoms, syndromes, disorders, and diseases.
      • Diseases like cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and cancer are linked to altered CVC and can serve as indicators for medical risks.

  • Addictions (63.-65.):

    • Addictions, characterized by continued use despite adverse consequences, are linked to self-regulation dysfunction and lower CVC.
    • Examples include substance abuse, nicotine dependence, and internet addiction.

Summary

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