Comparison of the heart rate variability parameters obtained from the electrocardiogram and the blood pressure wave

Four temporal and four spectral parameters of heart rate variability were compared after they were computed with two different time series generation methods: the RR intervals and the numerical values of heart rate provided by the Finapres. Recordings were obtained from 10 healthy subjects throughout five experimental conditions: supine, standing, controlled breathing, exercise and recovery. The mean and the RMS value of successive differences showed significant differences between the two methods. The spectral parameters were statistically different only during standing and exercise. The larger high frequency component and the lower HF/LF ratio by the Finapres method, observed during exercise, can be explained by the higher breathing influence on the peak-to-peak pressure intervals, in relation to RR intervals. Therefore, the high frequency component within mechanic intervals could possibly reflect the non-neural respiratory influence. In conclusion, values of heart rate provided by the Finapres are not completely interchangeable with those obtained from the ECG during the studied conditions.