Classic electrocardiogram-based and mobile technology derived approaches to heart rate variability are not equivalent. (1st May 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Guzik, Przemyslaw; Piekos, Caroline; Pierog, Olivia; Fenech, Naiman; Krauze, Tomasz; Piskorski, Jaroslaw; Wykretowicz, Andrzej
• Is Part Of: International journal of cardiology. Volume 258(2018)
• Page Start: 154
• Page End: 156
• Publication Date: 2018-05-01
• Subjects: Heart rate variability -- Mobile technology -- Electrocardiogram; Cardiology -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.12
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2018.01.056
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0167-5273

Abstract

Abstract: We compared classic ECG-derived versus a mobile approach to heart rate variability (HRV) measurement. Methods & results: 29 young adult healthy volunteers underwent a simultaneous recording of heart rate using an ECG and a chest heart rate monitor at supine rest, during mental stress and active standing. Mean RR interval, Standard Deviation of Normal-to-Normal (SDNN) of RR intervals, and Root Mean Square of the Successive Differences (RMSSD) between RR intervals were computed in 168 pairs of 5-minute epochs by in-house software on a PC (only sinus beats) and by mobile application "ELITEHRV" on a smartphone (no beat type identification). ECG analysis showed that 33.9% of the recordings contained at least one non-sinus beat or artefact, the mobile app did not report this. The mean RR intervals were significantly longer (p = 0.0378), while SDNN (p = 0.0001) and RMSSD (p = 0.0199) were smaller for the mobile approach. Conclusions: Measures of identical HRV parameters by ECG-based and mobile approaches are not equivalent. Highlights: ECG recording is required for accurate heart rate variability (HRV) analysis. Signals other than ECG are used by mobile technologies to record heart rate. Computation of HRV is easy with modern mobile devices. HRV measures by the classic ECG based and mobile technologies differ. The use of HRV derived from mobile technologies should be avoided in health-related decision making.