Spectral analysis of heart rate and blood pressure variability

The cardiovascular system contains negative feedback and time-delay mechani sms resulting in oscillations in heart rate and blood pressure, which are a pparent when these signals are measured over time. Specifically, spectral a nalysis and nonlinear analysis techniques allow quantification of heart rat e and blood pressure variability. Alterations in heart rate and blood press ure variability as evidenced from the spectral characteristics of these phy siological signals allow the clinicians to have indicators of aberrations o f neural control in various conditions or when drugs such as beta blockers, adrenergic agents, methylxanthines, etc., are being administered.