Spectral analysis of HRV in the assessment of autonomic function on normal subject

Abstract

Heart rate variability (HRV) has been proposed as a diagnostic tool in assessing autonomic function. This paper investigates HRV response of healthy subject during active postural test (APT) and cold pressor test (CPT) using AR spectral analysis. Electrocardiograph (ECG) was recorded from 30 young adults; 19 females and 11 males with age ranging from 20-30 years. Autoregressive (AR) estimated by Burg was then used to compute the power spectral density (PSD). LFnu, HFnu and LF/HF ratio show significant difference (p<0.05) comparing supine and stand for APT and supine and hand immersion in cold water for CPT. As a conclusion, the HRV response shows predominance of the parasympathetic during supine position and sympathetic predominance during standing and hand immersion in cold water.