Poincaré Plot — Visual HRV Analysis
Visualize your heart rate variability with Poincaré scatter plots. HeartLab provides advanced HRV visualization that most apps don't offer.
What Is a Poincaré Plot?
A Poincaré plot (also called Lorenz plot) is a graphical representation of heart rate variability where each R-R interval is plotted against the next R-R interval. The resulting scatter pattern reveals important information about autonomic nervous system function, cardiac health, and stress levels. A healthy heart produces an elongated, comet-shaped cluster along the identity line (x=y), while various cardiac conditions produce distinctive patterns — tight clusters may indicate reduced variability, while scattered points may indicate arrhythmias.
Understanding Your Poincaré Plot in HeartLab
HeartLab generates Poincaré plots from your Apple Watch ECG recordings and heart rate data. The app calculates SD1 (short-term variability, perpendicular to the identity line) and SD2 (long-term variability, along the identity line), and their ratio SD1/SD2 which reflects autonomic balance. These metrics complement traditional time-domain HRV measures like SDNN and rMSSD, giving you a more complete picture of your cardiac health. HeartLab's AI assistant explains what your Poincaré plot pattern means in plain language.
Clinical Value of Poincaré Analysis
Poincaré plots are used in cardiology research to assess autonomic function, predict cardiac events, and evaluate treatment effectiveness. By offering this analysis on your iPhone, HeartLab gives you access to a tool previously available only in clinical settings. Track changes in your Poincaré pattern over time to understand how stress, exercise, sleep, and lifestyle choices affect your heart rhythm.
FAQ
What does a normal Poincaré plot look like?
A healthy Poincaré plot shows an elongated, comet-shaped cluster of points along the identity line. The spread indicates healthy heart rate variability. HeartLab's AI helps you interpret your specific pattern.
Which apps have Poincaré plots?
HeartLab is one of very few consumer apps offering Poincaré plot analysis from Apple Watch data. Most HRV apps only show numerical metrics without this visual analysis.
What do SD1 and SD2 mean?
SD1 measures beat-to-beat (short-term) variability and reflects parasympathetic activity. SD2 measures longer-term variability. HeartLab calculates both and explains their significance.
Can Poincaré plots detect arrhythmias?
Yes. Arrhythmias create distinctive patterns on Poincaré plots — PVCs appear as isolated clusters away from the main group, while AFib creates a widely scattered pattern. HeartLab's analysis highlights these findings.
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