Both Firstbeat and HeartMath tools, technologies and programs are the result of over two decades of scientific research and development, extensive customer experience and data analysis, based on heart rate variability (HRV).

HRV is the naturally occurring beat-to-beat changes in the amount of time between heartbeats that make up heart rhythm.

HRV has been used in thousands of clinical trials and mentioned in more than 14,000 scientific articles.  HRV is typically used in hospital and research settings and increasingly more recently in psychological research.

HRV stands out as the most dynamic and reflective indicator of one’s emotional states and, therefore, current stress and cognitive processes, which explains how and why heart activity affects mental clarity, creativity, emotional balance, intuition, and personal effectiveness.  Various factors such as physical activity, thoughts and feelings, perceived stress (whether real or imagined) and breathing patterns all influence heart rhythm patterns.