OpenHRV

A desktop application for heart rate variability (HRV) biofeedback training with Polar chest straps (H7, H9, H10).

Installation

It is highly recommended to install the project in a virtual Python environment, e.g., using conda or venv. The required Python version is specified in pyproject.toml.

Linux, Windows

On Windows, download OpenHRV.exe and run it, no installation required.

Alternatively, on both Linux and Windows you can clone the repository, and subsequently run

pip install .

in the root of the repository. Alternatively, you can skip cloning by running

pip install git+https://github.com/JanCBrammer/OpenHRV.git

You can now start the application with

python -m openhrv.app

or alternatively, with the shortcut

start_openhrv

MacOS

:warning: Those instructions aren't verified for releases > 0.2.0 :warning:

Clone the repository and run pyinstaller mac_os_app.spec --clean --noconfirm from the project root in a Python environment that contains the dependencies specified in pyproject.toml (including build dependencies). A MacOS app bundle will be created at OpenHRV/dist/openhrv.app. This can be loaded directly by clicking on it, or if you wish to see terminal debug messages, you can execute from the project root ./dist/openhrv.app/Contents/MacOS/app. The first run takes extra time.

User Guide

Connect your ECG sensor

First make sure your Polar sensor (H7, H9, or H10) is paired with your computer (i.e., find and pair the sensor in your computer's Bluetooth settings). Then search the sensor in OpenHRV by clicking Scan. The addresses of all paired Polar sensors show up in the drop-down menu. Select your sensor from the drop-down menu and click Connect in order to establish a connection. You can disconnect the sensor anytime by clicking Disconnect. Disconnecting is useful if you want to connect to another sensor, or if an error occurs with the connection. Should you have problems with the connection try disconnecting, and then reconnecting the sensor.

Set an HRV target

You can personalize the HRV target using the Target slider. After you've been training for a while you will have a good idea of what's an attainable target for you (this can vary depending on how much sleep or coffee you had etc.). You can adjust the target anytime if you find the current target too easy or difficult.

Set a breathing pace

The breathing pacer can help you increase your HRV. Breathe out as the blue disk shrinks and breathe in as it gets larger. Explore how different breathing rates affect your HRV by adjusting the Rate slider anytime during a session. Everyone has a personal breathing rate at which their HRV is at its highest. Usually that rate is somewhere between 4 and 7 breaths per minute. You can also hide the pacer by unchecking the Show pacer box if you want to practice regulating HRV without pacing.

Biofeedback training

Below you can watch heart rate variability (HRV) biofeedback training in action. Note how the blue heart rate curve rises and falls. These fluctuations are the "variability" in HRV. Your goal is to get the fluctuations large and regular. As you get better at this, the white HRV curve will go up. There is no "ideal" HRV, as in "everyone should achieve an HRV of 500 msec". Try to increase HRV relative to what you have achieved before and be aware that it can take a fair bit of practice to improve.