Spectral Analysis of Heart Rate Variability of Holter Records

Abstract

The paper discusses spectral methods for analyzing heart rate variability, which is a dynamic, non-stationary variable. Today the analysis of heart rate with mathematical methods is a current task as diseases of the cardiovascular system, and disability and mortality in humans as a result of them are very common worldwide. In our modern age, technologies need to be of assistance to medicine and to help both improve the health of individuals and take appropriate preventive measures to protect the health of people. Electrocardiography and long-term monitoring of Holter are well-established, non-invasive medical methods for cardiovascular activity testing. Spectral analysis of the heart rate variability makes it possible to evaluate the work of the heart and to give an estimate of its condition in the coming days. Spectral analysis of variability is performed in three frequency ranges and can be done with different mathematical methods. This paper uses a Welch periodogram method to analyze records of healthy individuals and patients with arrhythmias. The analysis was performed on real Holter continuous cardiac records on patients with proven cardiac disease, diagnosed by a cardiologist, and on people without cardiovascular problems. The presented numerical and graphical results are obtained using the MATLAB software program, created by the authors. The comparative analyses show differences in the studied frequency parameters between patients with arrhythmia and healthy individuals. The conducted research and the obtained results can be useful in the clinical practice of cardiologists.