Headaches & Heartbeats
A documented account of living with post-viral syndrome — tracking interventions with data, reading the evidence honestly, and navigating the NHS. No miracle cures. No emotional overreach. Just one person's careful record of what's happening and what (if anything) helps.
The site is organised into four areas: Testing covers interventions I'm trying with data where I have it; Evidence is my reading of the research; Tools includes free trackers and interactive questionnaires; NHS is practical guidance on getting care.
Intervention logs
Structured write-ups of specific things I'm trying — Nurosym, diaphragmatic breathing, recumbent exercise, medications, supplements — with HRV and RHR data where available.
EvidenceEvidence reviews
Accessible readings of the research behind interventions and diagnostic concepts — written from an educated-amateur standpoint with appropriate caveats.
ToolsTrackers & questionnaires
Free Google Sheets for tracking HRV, symptoms, and stand test results, plus interactive versions of validated clinical questionnaires including COMPASS-31 and the Nijmegen questionnaire.
NHSNavigating the system
Practical, experience-based guidance on getting appropriate care for post-viral conditions through the NHS — what to ask for, how to frame it, and how to advocate for yourself.
Recent posts
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Nurosym: Week 1 log
Baseline measurements and first week of vagal nerve stimulation with the Nurosym device. HRV, RHR, and initial impressions.
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How to prepare for a GP appointment about post-viral symptoms
Practical, experience-based guidance on getting the most out of a GP appointment when you suspect post-viral dysautonomia or a related condition — what to say, what to bring, and what to ask for.
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HRV as a tracking metric — what it tells you and what it doesn't
An accessible review of what heart rate variability actually measures, why it's relevant to dysautonomia and post-viral conditions, and the limits of using it as a personal tracking tool.
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What I'm tracking and why
My data tracking approach for post-viral dysautonomia — what I measure, how I measure it, and the reasoning behind the choices.