Heart rate variability as a biobehavioral marker of diverse psychopathologies: A review and argument for an ideal range

Heart rate variability (HRV), a measure of the variability in intervals between subsequent heart beats, is now widely considered an index of emotion regulatory capacity and the ability to adapt flexibly to changing environmental demands. Abnormalities in HRV are implicated in a host of psychopathologies, making it a potentially powerful transdiagnostic biobehavioral change mechanism in treatment interventions. While most mental illnesses are associated with low HRV, eating disorders have been linked to elevated HRV. We examined 62 research articles on HRV in psychopathology to test the hypothesis that there is an ideal range of HRV that predicts optimal functioning. Relationships between symptom severity and parameters that quantify HRV were examined graphically. More extreme time-domain HRV measures, both high and low, were associated with psychopathology, whereas healthy controls displayed mid-range values. Findings preliminarily support the hypothesis that there is an ideal range of HRV that could be targeted in biofeedback interventions.

Automated summary

Heart rate variability (HRV) is considered an index of emotional regulation and adaptive capacity, with abnormalities in HRV linked to various psychopathologies. Research suggests an ideal range of HRV that can be targeted in biofeedback interventions.