Summary
Umbrella review of meta-analyses confirmed that HRV is reduced in most mental disorders compared to healthy controls, with the strongest evidence for depression and anxiety disorders.
Methods
Umbrella review summarizing meta-analyses on HRV and mental disorders
Key Findings
- HRV consistently lower in depression, anxiety, and PTSD
- Effect sizes moderate to large across conditions
- HRV improves with successful treatment
- May serve as biomarker for autonomic dysregulation in mental illness
Limitations
Heterogeneous measurement methods across studies
What This Means for You
Low HRV isn't just about physical health—it's linked to mental health too. If you're dealing with anxiety or depression, tracking HRV might help monitor your progress as you work on recovery.
Source
Read the original paper in Translational Psychiatry ↗
Added to HRV Zone: 2025-01-07