Why is my HRV lower than my friend's?

HRV varies enormously between people based on age, genetics, and fitness level—it's not comparable like exam scores. What matters is your own pattern over time, not how your number stacks up against someone else's. A baseline of 30 or 90 can both be perfectly normal depending on the person.

Does low HRV mean I shouldn't work out?

It depends on the full picture. If your HRV is down, you slept poorly, and you feel tired, skip the hard session and opt for easier movement instead. But if HRV is low yet you slept well and feel fine, the number might just be noise and you're likely okay to train.

Why does my HRV drop after drinking alcohol?

Alcohol disrupts your sleep architecture and keeps your body busy metabolising it, which tanks HRV for a day or two even from moderate amounts. You might feel fine the next morning, but your nervous system is still dealing with it.

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