Heart rate variability as a marker of healthy ageing.

Background: With population ageing a significant concern, modifiable factors contributing to healthy ageing must be identified. Autonomic responding reflected by heart rate variability (HRV) has well-established links to general health and wellbeing in younger populations; but has yet to be explored in older individuals.

Methods: Forty-five healthy participants (49-82 years old) completed questionnaires about sleep and physical and psychological health.