The advantages of long HRV measurements over short ones

Heart rate variability (HRV) is a widely used measure to gain insight into the functioning of the autonomic nervous system. In healthcare, sports and the workplace, HRV is increasingly used to measure stress, recovery and resilience. The question often arises: what is better – a short measurement of a few minutes, or a long measurement of 24 hours or more?

In this article we explain why long HRV measurements are preferable in many cases.

1. Deeper insights through long-term recording

Long HRV measurements – for example via 24-hour Holter monitoring – provide a complete picture of how the autonomic nervous system is functioning during different moments of the day, such as during work, rest, sleep and movement. This makes it possible to detect subtle and structural changes in the balance between sympathetic (activating) and parasympathetic (restorative) activity. Short measurements miss this broader perspective.

2. More reliable in detecting chronic stress

While short HRV measurements are particularly suitable for measuring acute stress reactions, longer measurements are more reliable in identifying chronic work stress or incipient burnout symptoms. Long-term stress affects HRV in complex ways that only become visible over longer time intervals. This makes long measurements valuable for prevention and early detection.

3. Less influenced by temporary factors

Short measurements are sensitive to direct influences such as posture, breathing, coffee intake or a recent phone call. These factors can distort the results and lead to unreliable conclusions. Long measurements average out these fluctuations and therefore provide a more stable and representative picture of a person's true autonomic state.

4. In line with scientific guidelines

According to the Task Force of the European Society of Cardiology and the North American Society of Pacing and Electrophysiology (1996), 24-hour HRV measurements are essential to assess slow physiological rhythms, such as circadian patterns. Also recent scientific publications (such as Malik et al., 2017) confirm that longer measurements are necessary for a sound assessment of health status.

5. Added value for sustainable employability and vitality

In the workplace, long-term HRV measurements provide valuable data to promote sustainable employability of employees. By gaining insight into long-term trends in stress and recovery, employers can implement timely interventions. This helps prevent absenteeism and promotes employee well-being in the long term.

Conclusion

Long HRV measurements provide a much richer and more reliable picture of the health of the autonomic nervous system than short measurements. They are indispensable in detecting chronic stress and developing effective vitality strategies. Short measurements can be useful for quick screening, but should not be interpreted in isolation. For a solid HRV analysis, time is key.