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Time-domain HRV metrics

What it does

This method computes standard time-domain variability metrics from cleaned beat-to-beat or pulse-to-pulse intervals.

When to use it

Use it after event detection and interval cleaning. The input may contain NaN markers for intervals that should be omitted, but valid intervals must be positive and expressed in seconds.

Canonical ID: hrv.tdmetrics

Inputs

Name Meaning Type Unit Requirements
dtk Clean beat-to-beat or pulse-to-pulse intervals. real vector s greater than: 0; NaN allowed; finite

Outputs

Name Meaning Type Unit
mhr Mean heart or pulse rate computed from valid intervals. real scalar beats/min
sdnn Sample standard deviation of valid intervals. real scalar ms
sdsd Sample standard deviation of successive valid interval differences. real scalar ms
rmssd Root mean square of successive valid interval differences. real scalar ms
pnn50 Percentage of successive valid interval differences greater than 50 ms. real scalar %

How it works

Mean rate and SDNN use all valid intervals. SDSD, RMSSD, and pNN50 use successive differences only when both adjacent intervals are valid. The sample standard-deviation convention is used where applicable.

Interpretation and limitations

Results depend strongly on recording duration, preprocessing, missing data, activity, posture, and physiological context. Metrics from different protocols should not be compared without accounting for those factors.

References

  • Task Force of the European Society of Cardiology and the North American Society of Pacing and Electrophysiology (1996). Heart rate variability: standards of measurement, physiological interpretation and clinical use. European Heart Journal.
  • Diego Cajal et al. (2022). Effects of Missing Data on Heart Rate Variability Metrics. Sensors. doi:10.3390/s22155774

Implementations and technical resources

Python source | MATLAB source

Normative JSON | Validation cases