Rachel Novak, DC
Have you ever heard of Heart Rate Variability (HRV) or General Adaptive Potential (GAP)—and no, we’re not talking about the clothing store?
HRV is the measurement of the variation in time between each of your heartbeats. While most people assume a heart rate of 60 beats per minute means one beat per second, that’s not exactly true. A healthy heart will speed up and slow down throughout the day based on your activity and stress levels. That variation is controlled by your autonomic nervous system (ANS)—the system that manages involuntary functions like heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, and more.
The ANS has two branches:
- Sympathetic (fight or flight)
- Parasympathetic (rest and digest)
Your body switches between these states throughout the day. But when your HRV is low, your body can get stuck in one mode—leading to chronic stress, fatigue, illness, or poor recovery.
High HRV is a sign of flexibility and resilience in your nervous system. It’s associated with better stress management, improved cardiovascular health, and even longevity. Low HRV, on the other hand, is often linked to anxiety, chronic pain, inflammation, and disease.
So where does GAP come in?
General Adaptive Potential is your body’s ability to handle stress—physical, chemical, or emotional. People with high GAP typically feel better, get sick less often, and bounce back faster from life’s challenges. People with low GAP tend to struggle more with symptoms, pain, and illness.
Here’s the good news:
Chiropractic care has been shown to improve HRV and GAP. By supporting your nervous system, regular chiropractic adjustments help your body adapt more effectively to stress, improving your health from the inside out.
Want to stay on top of your care? Ask our front desk about our chiropractic membership options—designed to keep you feeling your best while saving you money on ongoing care.