Summary
| Direction in Lyme Disease | ↓ Reduced — lower than in the comparison group |
|---|---|
| Category | Chronic/PTLDS |
| Also described as | Autonomic function — ME/CFS overlap |
| Compared against | HC (healthy controls) |
| Associated symptoms | Fatigue, dysautonomia |
| Test type | Blood test (serum / plasma / whole blood) |
| Source | Aucott et al. 2014 — doi:10.1016/j.amjmed.2014.02.016 |
| Condition atlas | Lyme Disease Biomarker Atlas |
Other conditions where Heart rate variability (HRV) is reported
- Heart rate variability (HRV) in Gulf War Illness — ↓ reduced vs HGV
- Heart rate variability (RMSSD) in ME/CFS — ↓ reduced vs HC
- Heart rate variability (SDNN) in ME/CFS — ↓ reduced vs HC
- Heart rate variability (HRV) in PACVS — ↓ reduced vs HC
See the cross-condition hub: Heart rate variability (HRV) across conditions.
Related Chronic/PTLDS markers in Lyme Disease
Full list: Lyme Disease Biomarker Atlas.
Frequently asked questions
Is Heart rate variability (PTLDS) high or low in Lyme Disease?
Reduced. Studies summarised in the OSMF atlas report lower Heart rate variability (PTLDS) in Lyme Disease than in healthy controls. Source: Aucott et al. 2014.
What symptoms is Heart rate variability (PTLDS) associated with in Lyme Disease?
The cited literature associates this marker with Fatigue, dysautonomia. These are population-level associations and do not mean the marker causes the symptoms.
Which test measures Heart rate variability (PTLDS)?
It is measured as a blood test (serum / plasma / whole blood). Many of the cited studies used research-grade assays, so clinical availability may vary.
Is one abnormal Heart rate variability (PTLDS) result diagnostic of Lyme Disease?
No. No single biomarker is diagnostic of Lyme Disease. Heart rate variability (PTLDS) findings come from group comparisons, overlap considerably between patients and controls, and vary with study design, timing and comparison group. A result should be interpreted by a clinician alongside symptoms, history and other tests.
Is Heart rate variability (PTLDS) specific to Lyme Disease?
No. The same marker is also reported in Gulf War Illness, ME/CFS, PACVS in this atlas, so it reflects shared biology (for example inflammation or vascular stress) rather than a condition-specific signature.
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Last reviewed: 2026-06-29 · Page generated from lyme.json · Browse: Lyme Disease atlas · Biomarker Index · All marker pages
Disclaimer: This page is an educational synthesis of published, peer-reviewed research and is not medical advice. Biomarker findings vary across studies with case definitions, comparison groups, timing and assay methods. Direction of change reflects the predominant finding in the cited source and does not establish a diagnostic threshold. Discuss any test result with a qualified clinician.