A good heart rate variability is an expression of a functioning adaptability. Conversely, the risk of illness increases when the autonomic nervous system can no longer adequately adapt to external and internal stress.

The HRV-Scanner

– for your HRV concepts


The HRV-Scanner is one of the most powerful HRV systems in the world. It combines the standard tests of the neurovegetative function analysis (Deep Breathing Test, Short-term HRV, Supine/Standing HRV and 24 hours HRV measurement) and HRV biofeedback in one system. In connection with the Qiu and myQiu it also provides the basis for effective HRV monitoring – this creates new possibilities for efficient therapy, control of therapy and training as well as lifestyle interventions. The HRV-Scanner is available as a tablet-compatible entry-level version (HRV scanner lite) and with all features in the full version. Upgrades from “lite” to the full version are possible at any time.

The HRV-Scanner offers you many options for HRV measurement, HRV biofeedback and HRV monitoring

Fig: Example of the HRV-Scanner with equipment trolley and blood pressure monitor (optional accessory)

A professional HRV measurement should always be based on an ECG


ECG-based acquisition allows for a detailed assessment of signal quality and the identification of measurement segments that are unsuitable for HRV calculation. When only RR intervals from a chest strap are available, the user is unable to properly post-process the measurements; the determination of when a heartbeat occurred is left to the "black box" of the chest strap itself.

With the HRV scanner, the ECG is recorded using clip electrodes attached to the wrists. This offers the advantage that subjects do not need to undress. Alternatively, the signal can also be acquired using adhesive electrodes.


Respiration is essential for a correct interpretation of the HRV



Breathing and HRV are inextricably linked. Above all, the breathing-related fluctuations in the heart rate contain valuable information about the state of the autonomic nervous system (see e.g.: "Expiration-Triggered Sinus Arrhythmia Predicts Outcome in Survivors of Acute Myocardial Infarction. Sinnecker D et al., J Am Coll Cardiol. 2016 May 17 ;67(19):2213-2220).


  • More information on HRV and respiration

    HRV findings can only be fully explained if respiration is taken into account. For example, short-term HRV measurements are often found with large swings in the heart rate curve and high values in flexibility and slow dynamics (high coefficient of variation, high SD2) but low values in fast dynamics (SD1). It is not necessarily a question of vagal weakness, but mostly slow breathing (<5 breaths/minute), which leads to a slow oscillation of the heart rate with low SD1.

(*Note: HRV systems that do not measure an ECG, but only RR intervals, do not allow reliable determination of respiration and are therefore incomplete in essential aspects of the HRV analysis.)

Deep Breathing Test + Short Term HRV

– determine the current state of the autonomic nervous system in just a few minutes

The Deep Breathing Test is the gold standard for describing physiological HRV responses and reference values. For one minute, the test person breathes according to a specified breathing rate. This purely parasympathetic functional analysis shows the current capacity of the maximum parasympathetic regulatory ability. The 5-minute short-term HRV reflects the current state of the neurovegetative nervous system. Both branches (sympathetic/parasympathetic) of the neurovegetative regulation are examined at rest. Only the combination of both measurements enables a differentiated and comprehensive view of the vegetative system (ANS analysis). In order to take a closer look at the regulation, the HRV-Scanner offers HRV monitoring and 24-hour HRV measurement.

Deep Breathing Test with pulsed breathing - the gold standard in HRV functional analysis

Interpretation of the HRV

– “Make things as simple as possible, but not simpler.” (Albert Einstein)

With the Flexibility-Tone-Dynamics concept, the HRV-Scanner brings order to the extensive number of HRV parameters and VNS analyses. This provides an age-corrected and easy-to-understand explanatory model for the complex processes involved in neurovegetative regulation. This saves time in communicating with clients and creates trust. In addition, all common HRV parameters and HRV diagrams are available in the evaluation.

to the video: Explanation of the HRV concept “flexibility, dynamics and tone”

Typical findings in the Deep Breathing Test


Normal finding in a person with average regulation.

Above-average parasympathetic function, usually very healthy lifestyle and lots of sport.

Trained parasympathetic nervous system in competitive athletes. A low heart rate (= high tone) coupled with a very high dynamic are characteristic. Flexibility mostly in the middle range, since the low average heart rate limits the ability to oscillate in the direction of even lower heart rates for physiological reasons.

Parasympathetic dysfunction, common finding associated with an unfavorable lifestyle (stress, lack of sleep, unhealthy diet, little physical activity, ...)

Pronounced parasympathetic dysfunction with simultaneous high sympathetic tone. Eg acute stress, infections, pain.

Long-term HRV and 24-hour HRV

With the HRV scanner you can carry out 24-hour HRV measurements or freely configurable long-term HRV measurements up to 24 hours. Up to 60 phases can be defined for the evaluation, for which all parameters are calculated separately. For the 24-hour measurement, there is typically a day/night comparison of important HRV parameters and performance indices of the autonomic nervous system, as well as an assessment of the sleep quality and nocturnal recovery.

Detailed information on the evaluation options in the HRV-Scanner

Sample reports in PDF format:

Sample report 1: healthy competitive athlete

Example report 2: Subject with CAD


There is a little HRV-Scanner

– Beginner version for tablet and PC

HRV measurement, HRV biofeedback and connection to myQiu/Qiu offer HRV beginners everything they need in daily practice. When developing the HRV-Scanner lite, we paid particular attention to the simple and intuitive usability of the software on the tablet. Tutorials built into the program make it easier to use.

When you buy an HRV-Scanner, you will receive personal training via TeamViewer. More information here. The license for HRV-Scanner lite software is included with the HRV-Scanner standard and HRV-Scanner plus. Information about the versions and prices can be found here.

The HRV-Scanner standard

– more extensive evaluation and measurement functions

Long-term measurements (up to 24 hours), lying/standing test, many import options (HF and RR lists, ECG as ASCII, Polar, Suunto, EDF, SRM recorder,...) extensive functions for evaluating and post-processing the measurements.

When you buy an HRV-Scanner, you will receive personal training via TeamViewer. More information here. The license for HRV-Scanner lite software is included with the HRV-Scanner standard and HRV-Scanner plus. Information about the versions and prices can be found here.

Information about the versions, their features and prices can be found here.


Versions and prices