Everyone experiences some level of anxiety once in a while. It can cause intrusive or obsessive thoughts. A person with anxiety may find it hard to focus or feel confused at times. It doesn’t just affect the mind, but also our body, often manifesting as changes in heart rate.
This is why most people wonder: can a heart monitor detect anxiety? Heart monitors are often used to detect abnormalities such as arrhythmias, and the readings can be used as a diagnostic tool for addressing the root of a problem. A heart monitor can also help track vital signs that may reflect anxiety or stress, just like a baby breathing monitor helps parents monitor their baby’s safety.
How Heart Monitors Work: The Basics of Measuring Heart Rate
A heart monitor is a small device you carry or wear that records your heart rate and rhythm. This device can collect the same data as an electrocardiogram (EKG). However, it is more helpful because it provides more information about how your heart is beating compared to an EKG.
Wearing a heart monitor can help you record abnormal heart rhythms that don’t occur every day. It can also help you find out if you have an irregular heartbeat. Some uneven heartbeats are harmless, while others can lead to a stroke.
Here’s how a heart monitor works:
- The sensors on your chest will pick up your heart rhythms.
- The sensors will send your heart rhythms through wires to your cardiac monitor device.
- The heart monitor will record your heart rhythms.
- You’ll transmit the recorded data to your doctor through a phone or computer.
- Your doctor will assess your data and check for any abnormal heart rhythms.
Heart monitors vary based on:
- How long they are worn and record your heart’s activity
Some heart monitors are worn for just a few days, while other monitors will record your heart activity for weeks or even longer.
- How the data is recorded
For instance, if you need to take some action for the monitor to start recording when symptoms occur, or if the device collects data on its own. In some monitors, when you press a button or do something to trigger a recording, it will save information from about 45 seconds before and after the event. With this, you can see whether there is a relationship between how your heart is beating and the symptoms.
- Whether the data is recorded in real-time or analyzed later
When the recorded data in a heart monitor is sent in real-time, you may be able to review it and notify your doctor if something unusual happens. On the other hand, analyzed later once the device is sent back or returned after wearing it.
There are several types of heart monitors. Each type is battery-operated and equipped with special sensors that can detect and record the activity of the heart’s rhythm.
- Holter monitor
This monitor is worn around your neck with a strap and is usually used for about 1-3 days or up to 2 weeks. A Holter monitor is a perfect option if symptoms happen most days, and the data is reviewed after wearing it.
- External event or patch recorders
Event monitors are equipped with sensors that are attached to your chest using a sticky adhesive. These devices have wires that are connected to a handheld monitor that you can place in your pocket or belt. On the other hand, patch recorders are placed on the skin of your chest with sticky adhesive. These devices are small enough to be hidden under your shirt. These monitors are usually used for 2-6 weeks, ideal if the symptoms only happen once in a while.
- Mobile Cardiac Outpatient Telemetry (MCOT)
These monitors may come in patches that can be applied to your chest for about 30 days. It automatically records and sends data to a base monitor, and it is sent to someone who monitors the ECG. You can also record a symptom by touching a button on the monitor.
- Implantable loop recorder
This device is implanted under your skin near the heart through a small incision and is used for up to 4 years. It records data all the time and sends it from a home monitoring system through a website to a central monitoring station.
The Body’s Response to Anxiety: How It Affects Heart Rate
When you are feeling anxious, your body reacts in ways that can put an extra strain on your heart. The physical symptoms of anxiety can be damaging, especially to individuals who have existing cardiac disease.
Anxiety may be associated with the following heart disorders and cardiac risk factors:
- Increased blood pressure
If chronic, it can lead to weakening of the heart muscle, coronary disease, and heart failure
- Rapid heart rate (Tachycardia)
In most serious cases, it can interfere with normal heart function and increase the possibility of sudden cardiac arrest.
- Decreased heart rate variability
May result in a higher chance of death after an acute heart attack.
Anxiety can coincide with a rapid heart rate and abnormal heartbeats. Both anxiety and the heart can result in abnormal heart rhythms. Although some heartbeats that occur in the upper and lower chambers are the cause of abnormal rhythm, symptoms may feel like an initial skip or hard thumping beat, followed by a racing heart. When anxiety is the trigger, the heart rate usually increases steadily rather than suddenly.
Many people recognize the pattern of their heart beating, whether their heart starts to race when feeling stress or anxiety, or if their heart rate increases out of the blue. In many cases, anxiety that follows palpitations is a sign that the heart is the primary issue.
Can Heart Monitors Detect Anxiety-Induced Changes in the Heart?
Can a heart monitor detect anxiety? The answer is no. A heart monitor does not directly detect anxiety. However, it can detect irregular or rapid heart rate, which can occur during anxiety.
Heart monitors provide reliable data about your heart’s function, which allows you to track and monitor your heart’s activity. By monitoring your heart rate, you can gain a better understanding of your body’s response to anxiety and learn to manage it effectively.
Heart monitors are equipped with biofeedback, a technique that uses physiological information to help you learn how to control your body’s response to stress. You can use a heart monitor to identify triggers that cause your anxiety. If you notice that your heart rate has increased, you can do something to manage or avoid those situations. This can help you prevent anxiety and stress.
Heart Rate Variability (HRV): A Key Indicator of Stress and Anxiety
Heart rate variability (HRV) is a measurement of the variation in time between successive heartbeats. Monitoring HRV helps you:
- Avoid burnout from stress
- Prevent overtraining
- Identify the risk of illness early
- Stay accountable to your goals
It’s important to remember that the human heart is not a metronome. A heart rate of 60 bpm means one beat per second; in reality, there are millisecond variations between successive heartbeats. There are beats with 0.9 seconds apart, while others are more like 1.2 seconds apart.
A high HRV is a good sign that your body can respond to stress and is correlated with increased resilience and emotional control. You are more likely to show adaptability and flexibility when facing uncomfortable or stressful situations.
A low HRV is correlated with mental disorders, including depression and anxiety. In extreme cases, low HRV can indicate dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system.
Common Symptoms of Anxiety That a Heart Monitor Might Pick Up
While a heart monitor cannot directly detect anxiety, it can record changes in the heart function that occur during anxiety.
Some common anxiety-related symptoms a heart monitor might record include:
- Rapid heart rate (tachycardia)
- Irregular heart rhythm
- Shortness of breath with an accelerated heart rate
- Chest tightness
By recognizing these patterns, heart monitors can help you and your doctor better understand whether your symptoms are anxiety-driven or related to an underlying heart condition.
While a heart monitor cannot directly detect anxiety, it can provide insights into how your body responds to stress and anxiety. Monitoring changes such as rapid heart rate or palpitations can help you distinguish between anxiety-induced symptoms and underlying heart conditions. Additionally, monitoring HRV can help you to better understand your stress levels and overall resilience.
Heart monitors can be a useful device for managing anxiety and identifying triggers. If you notice recurring symptoms, it is best to consult your doctor to ensure your heart and mental health are in a healthy condition.