How Stiff Are Your Arteries? An Emerging Vital Sign for Determining Cardiovascular Disease Risk
Abstract
Arterial stiffness is an indicator of cardiovascular risk and disease. This paper discusses the pathophysiology and specific measures of arterial stiffness (augmentation index and pulse wave velocity) and methods for determining arterial stiffness, including applanation tonography, pulse pressure, Ambulatory Arterial Stiffness Index, impedance cardiography, ultrasound, and magnetic resonance imaging. As issues related to the utility of arterial stiffness in clinical practice (eg, standardization and validation) are resolved through research, primary care providers should recognize this emerging “vital sign” as an important cardiovascular assessment tool for their patients.
In compliance with national ethical guidelines, the authors report no relationships with business or industry that would pose a conflict of interest.
1Debra J. Barksdale, PhD, FNP-BC, ANP-BC, CNE, FAANP, is an associate professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, a practicing primary care NP, and a NIH-funded researcher. Her program of research focuses on stress and cardiovascular disease, specifically hypertension.
2Jeongok Gang Logan, MSN, RN, is a nurse on a cardiothoracic step down unit and a PhD candidate at UNC-Chapel Hill. Her dissertation research is focused on stress, blood pressure, arterial stiffness, and heart rate variability in Korean Americans.
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