Key result
New analytical formulas accurately predict minimum ECG sampling rates required for HR and HRV calculations.
Why the study?
There is no established guideline for selecting the ECG sampling rate required to calculate heart rate and heart rate variability with a desired level of accuracy.
Observational (n=58)
This study provides validated analytical formulas that offer quantitative guidelines for selecting the minimum ECG sampling rate required to achieve a desired accuracy in HR and HRV calculations.
May inform ECG sampling choices for HR/HRV accuracy in research; leaves open validation in clinical populations and devices.
Objective . To develop analytical formulas which can serve as quantitative guidelines for the selection of the sampling rate for the electrocardiogram (ECG) required to calculate heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV) with a desired level of accuracy. Approach . We developed analytical formulas which relate the ECG sampling rate to conservative bounds on HR and HRV errors: (i) one relating HR and sampling rate to a HR error bound and (ii) the others relating sampling rate to HRV error bounds (in terms of root-mean-square of successive differences (RMSSD) and standard deviation of normal sinus beats (SDNN)). We validated the formulas using experimental data collected from 58 young healthy volunteers which encompass a wide HR and HRV ranges through strenuous exercise. Main results . The results strongly supported the validity of the analytical formulas as well as their tightness. The formulas can be used to (i) predict an upper bound of inaccuracy in HR and HRV for a given sampling rate in conjunction with HR and HRV as well as to (ii) determine a sampling rate to achieve a desired accuracy requirement at a given HR or HRV (or its range). Significance . HR and its variability (HRV) derived from the ECG have been widely utilized in a wide range of research in physiology and psychophysiology. However, there is no established guideline for the selection of the sampling rate for the ECG required to calculate HR and HRV with a desired level of accuracy. Hence, the analytical formulas may guide in selecting sampling rates for the ECG tailored to various applications of HR and HRV.
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Zhou et al. (2024) conducted an observational in Healthy volunteers (n=58). ECG sampling rate reduction vs. 2 kHz ground truth ECG was evaluated on Validation of analytical upper bounds of inaccuracy in HR and HRV for given sampling rates. The developed analytical formulas successfully predicted the minimum ECG sampling rate required to maintain accurate heart rate and heart rate variability calculations, confirming that higher sampling rates are necessary as heart rate increases and acceptable error bounds decrease.
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