Stressors and Heart Rate Variability in Police Officers

This research will examine the relationships between heart rate variability, stress and physiological outcomes in police officers.

Title: Stressors and Heart Rate Variability in Police Officers

Principal Investigator: John Violanti, PhD

Funding Agency: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Period: 02/23/11 - 09/30/13

Abstract: The loss of heart rate variability is believed to be a significant and specific marker of dysfunction in the system that allows individuals to return to normal levels of physiological arousal after stress exposure. This dysfunction in the stress response system is brought about by a number of factors, particularly conditions of highly intense and chronic stress. Police work produces these conditions. This research will examine the relationships between heart rate variability, stress and physiological outcomes in police officers.