Pulse wave velocity measures arterial stiffness noninvasively by analyzing blood flow and arterial elasticity. It can diagnose and monitor vascular diseases such as hypertension. The method measures the flexibility or stiffness of the aorta and can detect high blood pressure, hardening of the arteries, and blood circulation disorders.
Pulse wave velocity is a method used to measure the health of blood vessels as people age or to diagnose conditions of the cardiovascular system. Healthy, flexible blood vessels can better absorb the force of blood as it leaves the heart before it travels to peripheral arteries and capillaries. A pulse wave velocity measurement is used to determine arterial stiffness noninvasively, which can help physicians diagnose and monitor many vascular diseases such as hypertension. It is measured by applying electrodes to the wrists and ankles and using software to analyze blood flow and arterial elasticity.
The large arteries around the heart are lined with muscle cells, as well as elastin and collagen fibers that are flexible enough to protect the arteries when blood is forced out of the heart under high pressure. The arteries near the heart can stretch so that blood pressure is lower as it reaches the smallest and most fragile blood vessels in the body. This elasticity also allows pressure to push evenly on the arterial walls. If elasticity decreases, blood pressure can rise throughout the vascular system and there is more stress on the heart.
By measuring the pulse wave velocity between two points such as the carotid artery and femoral artery, doctors can tell the flexibility or stiffness of the aorta or main artery leaving the heart. This information can be used to diagnose and treat a condition. Problems such as high blood pressure, hardening of the arteries and blood circulation disorders can be detected. Other methods of monitoring arterial stiffness include ultrasound and using pattern recognition to analyze the pulse pressure signal within the aorta.
Systolic and diastolic blood pressure values are measured using pulse wave velocity. It is also possible to detect how well the aorta dampens the pressure of ventricular and arterial impulses. Scientifically, the ability to measure pulse waves began in the early 1800s and arterial wall stiffness is measured using mathematical calculations derived from Sir Isaac Newton’s second law of motion. The relationship between pulse wave velocity and arterial wall stiffness can be determined by dividing the distance of the wave by how long it takes to travel that far. Pressure and flow measurements, however, must be included to accurately measure blood flow, so thorough analysis is performed by medical software programs that analyze data from pulse measuring equipment.
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