What heart rate variability can bring to supportive care
Abstract
Heart rate variability (HRV) is the variation in the time interval between consecutive heartbeats, is variable for each individual and higher or lower HRV is not always better. Despite the importance of HRV to cancer care, HRV monitoring and analysis are not standard clinical practice. In this article, we present the clinical utility of widely known recommendations for improving HRV, highlight their benefits and outline how these can provide an efficient, non-invasive and cost-effective method for identifying autonomic dysfunction through HRV. Considered together, this article can inform policy on the importance of HRV measurements and evaluation as a standard of care in supportive care guidelines.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Heart Rate Variability and Autonomic Control
Cancer survivorship and care
Cardiac Health and Mental Health
Publication details
- Journal / source
- BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care
- Volume
- 16
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 647–649
- Publication date
- 27 February 2026
- Language
- EN