ECG and HRV Testing and Analysis for Exercise Prescription
ECG is known for interpretation of the cardiac rhythm, conduction etc, it is also effective at screening for other types of cardiac abnormalities including valvular heart disease, cardiomyopathy, pericarditis, and hypertensive disease something the longer term holter analysis can derive.
Sub-maximal ECG stress tests to safely customise exercise during rehab, reserving maximal tests for athletes.
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ECG (resting, 5–10 min): rhythm & interval snapshot prior to sub-max testing (safety baseline; rate/rhythm control context).
HRV (2–3 min): ultra-short measure of autonomic balance for today’s stress–recovery state (guides intensity & recovery).
Holter (24–48 h, optional): continuous rhythm to catch intermittent symptoms; diary correlation.
Scope: functional assessment & exercise planning (non-diagnostic). Abnormal findings → GP/cardiology.
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Baseline before 6MWT/Chester/VO₂; palpitations/dizziness; rate-limiting meds; rehab cardiac cohorts; insurer/employer baselines.
Holter adds value for episodic symptoms, suspected paroxysmal AF/ectopy, syncope work-up and diary event correlation.
Protocol & Preparation
ECG: 3,5, 12-lead (or device standard) → 60–120 s capture → rhythm/interval review (PR/QRS/QT).
HRV: seated, quiet breathing 2–3 min (strap or ECG-derived); artefact review; record RMSSD (± SDNN) and other domain and non-linear based indices.
Holter fit: 15 min; lead placement, event button/diary, return time next day.
Prep: easy-access top; limit caffeine immediately prior; skin prep for leads.
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ECG: rhythm, rate, PR/QRS/QT(QTc); baseline strip in report.
HRV: RMSSD (± SDNN) with day-state context; trend at follow-up.
Holter: time-stamped events, burden (PAC/PVC), symptom correlation.
Delivery: Clinician PDF in 2–3 business days (priority 24 h).
Formats on request: ECG SCP-ECG/XML; HRV summary CSV.
Use: set HR/BP ceilings, recovery days, and escalation if red-flags.
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Quick safety baseline ECG before exercise testing (resting ECG) and exercise prescription.
Today’s recovery/stress snapshot to fine-tune intensity (HRV 2–3 min).
Option to capture intermittent symptoms with a 24–48 h Holter and diary.
Clear report your GP/cardiologist can file; guides HR/BP ceilings and pacing.
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umikari TJ, Putaala J, Kerola A, et al. Continuous 4-week ECG monitoring with adhesive electrodes reveals AF in patients with recent embolic stroke of undetermined source.
Ann Noninvasive Electrocardiol. 2019;e12649.Hostettler R et al. Motion Artifact Reduction in Ambulatory Electrocardiography Using Inertial Measurement Units and Kalman Filtering.
In Proceedings of the 21st International Conference on Information Fusion, FUSION 2018.Hartikainen S et al. Effectiveness of the Chest Strap Electrocardiogram to Detect Atrial Fibrillation.
The American Journal of Cardiology, 2019.