Interní Med. 2014; 16(5): 205-209

Heart rate variability: applications in medical practice with focus on metabolic syndrome

MUDr.Jiří Pumprla, MPH, MBA^1,2,4, prof.MUDr.Eliška Sovová, Ph.D, MBA^2,3, prof.Dr.med.Kinga Howorka, MPH, MBA, MSc⁴

¹ Ordinace vnitřního lékařství, Vila zdraví Olomouc

² 1. interní klinika FN UP Olomouc

³ Klinika tělovýchovného lékařství a kardiovaskulární rehabilitace FN UP Olomouc

⁴ Výzkumná skupina Funkční rehabilitace a skupinové edukace, Lékařská univerzita Vídeň

The capability of quick adaptations is an important condition for preserving a long-term homeostasis of the body. Autonomic nervous

system represents a dynamic control system that sensitively manages bodily response to a range of external and internal stimuli and in

this way secures integrity of the organism. Cardiovascular reflexes, which represent basic principle of this system, can get impaired due

to various factors over the time. Nowadays, due to swift technological developments, it is possible to detect even its early dysfunction

by a relatively quick, simple and non-invasive method using analysis of heart rate variability. This method is already well positioned

within the clinical armamentarium in cardiology and diabetology, and opens its use for patients with metabolic syndrome, as well as in

a range of other clinical disciplines. Author of this review deals with theoretical fundaments, practical applications and own 20-years´

experience in heart rate variability analysis with special focus on internal medicine and metabolic syndrome.

Keywords: heart rate variability, autonomic nervous system, sympathetic, parasympathetic, spectral analysis, metabolic syndrome

Published: November 1, 2014  Show citation