Chronic stress overactivates the sympathetic nervous system, which alters the body, mind, and behavior. Purpose Stress can indeed be employed to preserve homeostasis when there is a physical or mental imbalance brought on by damaging stimuli. Currently, there isn't a standard reference point for quantifying stress. The purpose of this meta-analysis is to assess studies that support the use of heart rate variability (HRV) as an indicator of stress. Methods and Materials: Studies concerning HRV that have been published in bibliographic database from 2013 to 2023 were firstly selected. A total of 181 articles were found, 69 in Elsevier, 51 in Google Scholar, 38 PubMed, and 23 in other databases. The criteria selected were human study, HRV reactivity and the HRV as an objective indicator of psychological stress. Only human study was restrained. Finally, ten publications that fit criteria were found. Results: Majority of research selected found that HRV components changed in response to stress brought on by diverse techniques. The most often cited component associated with variance in HRV variables was a drop in the high-frequency band and an increase in the low-frequency band, both of which are markers of diminished parasympathetic activity. HRV may be related to cortical areas that are engaged in evaluating stressful situations, according to neuroimaging research. Conclusion: The findings support the use of HRV for the purpose of evaluating stress and mental health objectively, and neurobiological data suggests that HRV is impacted by stress reactions.

Background: Heart rate variability (HRV), generated from an electrocardiogram (ECG), can be used to evaluate the autonomic nervous system (ANS). Heart rate changes during different physical activities are due to changing involuntary regulation. Objective: The main aim of the current study is to explore the ANS by analyzing linear HRV parameters, so that clinicians can preliminarily explore ANS function using ECG analysis with their patients. Patients and methods: A total of 15 student volunteers were recorded. Data was collected for 5 minutes for each supine and standing position. The R-peak obtained from an ECG is used to assess the RR-peak, which is also required for HRV analysis. Linear HRV parameters with different time-domain indices and frequency-domain indices are interpreted in 2 body positions. Results: We discovered that the RR interval is longer in the supine position than in the standing position (952.8±181.6 vs. 771.9±164, respectively; P<0.05), and that in comparison to supine position, when standing as opposed to when lying down, the heart rate is higher (81.7±10.2 vs. 65.8±9.1, respectively; P<0.05), where the body is more relaxed. This affects ANS, and stress index values, which are low before increasing in the standing position, starting in the supine position (5.7±2.4 vs. 9.5±2.7, respectively; P<0.05). Conclusion:We conclude that there is a relationship between HRV and the sympathetic system in different positions, where when moving from supine to standing, the values of HRV changes (increases) and, therefore, the stress index changes (increase) and, from this, we note the change (value increase) in ANS.

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