Compression therapy, autonomic nervous system, and heart rate variability: A narrative review and our preliminary personal experience.

Aims: To highlight the relationship among compression therapy (CT), the autonomic nervous system (ANS) (parasympathetic and sympathetic system), and the heart rate variability (HRV) analysis.

Background: Beyond the typical analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of CT in patients affected by venous and/or lymphatic diseases, some literature about CT influence on wellbeing has been published as well. More specifically, CT influence on the ANS has been elucidated mostly through HRV application, providing useful quali-quantitative data for scientific and clinical purposes.