🟢 Respiratory sinus arrhythmia on a PPG trace

This case presents a 39-year-old male without known comorbidities. During a spot check with FibriCheck, the PPG trace revealed a regular rhythm exhibiting pronounced respiratory-induced variability in the interbeat intervals — a characteristic pattern of respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA).

This physiological phenomenon reflects normal vagal modulation of heart rate, where inspiration accelerates and expiration slows the heart rhythm. The tachogram clearly visualizes this cyclical variation, highlighting how FibriCheck can capture subtle, respiration-linked rhythm dynamics even in healthy individuals.

Takeaway:
Respiratory sinus arrhythmia can be clearly recognized on a PPG trace by interpreting the sequence and periodic fluctuation of interbeat intervals, demonstrating how respiratory influence modulates cardiac rhythm in real time.

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