Heart rate interpreter
Enter your readings and get a plain-English explanation. This is for education only — it does not replace clinical assessment.
This tool is designed for occasional use. If you find yourself checking repeatedly, close this page and try the breathing exercise instead.
Resting heart rate
Take your reading first thing in the morning, sitting quietly for 2 minutes.
Enter your heart rate above
The marker will move and your result will appear here.
Heart rate variability (HRV)
If your device measures HRV, select the metric and enter your value.
Enter your HRV above
Select RMSSD or SDNN and enter your reading.
Learn more
What is HRV?
Heart rate variability (HRV) measures the variation in time between each heartbeat. A healthy heart does not beat like a metronome — there are tiny, natural fluctuations controlled by the autonomic nervous system.
Higher HRV generally indicates a more adaptable, resilient cardiovascular system. Lower HRV can suggest chronic stress, poor recovery, or reduced parasympathetic tone.
Why does HRV matter for palpitations?
People with lower HRV often have increased sympathetic (fight-or-flight) activity, which lowers the threshold for ectopic beats. Improving HRV through breathing, sleep, and exercise can reduce palpitation frequency.
The 4–6 breathing technique taught in the OpenPalp self-guided booklet directly improves vagal tone and HRV. Studies show measurable improvement with regular practice over time.
What affects HRV?
Improves HRV: Regular exercise, good sleep, slow breathing, hydration, stress management.
Reduces HRV: Poor sleep, chronic stress, excessive alcohol, dehydration, illness, overtraining.
HRV varies by age, sex, and fitness level. Your trend over time matters more than a single reading. Measure at the same time each day (ideally on waking) for the most meaningful comparison.
The OpenPalp programme
Email [email protected] to book your free clinic appointment — Tuesday mornings at the SF Studios, Hampstead. Optional 12-lead ECG (£49) and one-week home rhythm monitoring (£70) are available.
Book Your free Assessment