Computational Analysis of Heart Rate Variability in Healthy Adults

arXiv cs.AI Papers

Summary

This study computationally analyzes heart rate variability (HRV) indices in 40 healthy adults, finding that time-domain and nonlinear indices are normally distributed and stable, while frequency-domain indices show high variability. Recommended indices for accurate HRV representation include ApEn, IRRR, HRVi, SD2, MADRR, and rMSSD.

arXiv:2606.26816v1 Announce Type: new Abstract: Heart Rate Variability (HRV) analysis is a key indicator of cardiac physiological state and aids in disease diagnosis. However, research on HRV parameters in healthy individuals remains limited, and no gold standard exists. This study evaluates HRV indices in 40 healthy adults (20 men, 20 women, aged 30-50) to improve HRV's clinical utility. Using computational methods for signal processing and data analysis, time, frequency, and nonlinear indices were analyzed to address five questions: (1) normality, (2) stability, (3) correlation, (4) reproducibility, and (5) consistency. Key findings: (1) Time-domain and nonlinear indices, particularly global and LF (low frequency), follow normal distributions, with gender differences noted. (2) Most indices are stable except HF (high frequency)-related ones. (3) High correlations in HF-related indices suggest redundancy, indicating only one is necessary in studies. (4) Comparisons with the Fantasia database revealed less than 10% error for most indices, except SD2 and SDNN in women (greater than 15%). (5) Time-domain and nonlinear indices show low inter-study variability, while frequency-domain indices exhibit high variability, limiting cross-study comparisons. The selected indices-ApEn and IRRR (global variability), HRVi and SD2 (LF), and MADRR or rMSSD (HF)-are best suited for accurately representing HRV components and enhancing its clinical and research relevance.
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# Computational Analysis of Heart Rate Variability in Healthy Adults
Source: [https://arxiv.org/abs/2606.26816](https://arxiv.org/abs/2606.26816)
[View PDF](https://arxiv.org/pdf/2606.26816)

> Abstract:Heart Rate Variability \(HRV\) analysis is a key indicator of cardiac physiological state and aids in disease diagnosis\. However, research on HRV parameters in healthy individuals remains limited, and no gold standard exists\. This study evaluates HRV indices in 40 healthy adults \(20 men, 20 women, aged 30\-50\) to improve HRV's clinical utility\. Using computational methods for signal processing and data analysis, time, frequency, and nonlinear indices were analyzed to address five questions: \(1\) normality, \(2\) stability, \(3\) correlation, \(4\) reproducibility, and \(5\) consistency\. Key findings: \(1\) Time\-domain and nonlinear indices, particularly global and LF \(low frequency\), follow normal distributions, with gender differences noted\. \(2\) Most indices are stable except HF \(high frequency\)\-related ones\. \(3\) High correlations in HF\-related indices suggest redundancy, indicating only one is necessary in studies\. \(4\) Comparisons with the Fantasia database revealed less than 10% error for most indices, except SD2 and SDNN in women \(greater than 15%\)\. \(5\) Time\-domain and nonlinear indices show low inter\-study variability, while frequency\-domain indices exhibit high variability, limiting cross\-study comparisons\. The selected indices\-ApEn and IRRR \(global variability\), HRVi and SD2 \(LF\), and MADRR or rMSSD \(HF\)\-are best suited for accurately representing HRV components and enhancing its clinical and research relevance\.

## Submission history

From: Xose Anton Vila Sobrino \[[view email](https://arxiv.org/show-email/dbdd0699/2606.26816)\] **\[v1\]**Thu, 25 Jun 2026 09:59:15 UTC \(517 KB\)

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