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Recovery & HRV

Vagal tone

DEVagustonus

Vagal tone is the baseline activity of your vagus nerve. The vagus is the main parasympathetic pathway, connecting your brainstem to organs like your heart, lungs, and gut. Higher vagal tone goes with efficient heart-rate slowing when you breathe out, faster recovery after stress, and lower body-wide inflammation. It is commonly estimated from RMSSD or high-frequency HRV. In longevity terms, strengthening your vagal tone, through breathwork, exercise, and sleep, is seen as a modifiable resilience factor.

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This definition is educational and is not medical advice, a diagnosis, or treatment. Talk to a doctor about any health decisions. Read our full medical disclaimer

Sources

  1. Thayer JF, Lane RD. (2007). The role of vagal function in the risk for cardiovascular disease and mortality. *Biological Psychology*doi:10.1016/j.biopsycho.2005.11.013
  2. Malik M, Bigger JT, Camm AJ, et al.. (1996). Heart rate variability: Standards of measurement, physiological interpretation, and clinical use. Task Force of the European Society of Cardiology and the North American Society of Pacing and Electrophysiology. *European Heart Journal*doi:10.1093/oxfordjournals.eurheartj.a014868