Arterial Stiffness Index

In addition to blood pressure and pulse information, the CardioVision also generates information on the stiffness or flexibility of the brachial artery (artery of the upper arm). Called the Arterial Stiffness Index (ASI), the ASI is a number that correlates with arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). Because arteriosclerosis reduces flexibility in arteries, the higher the ASI, the more likely someone is to have hardening of the arteries, the lower the number, the less likely.

Why is it important to know how flexible arteries are? Arteries are responsible for moving the majority of the blood through the vascular system. Consequently, non-flexible or hardened arteries cause the heart to work much harder when it is forced to push blood through partially occluded vessels. This extra strain on the heart and the resulting blockages are a root cause of cardiovascular disease. Until the invention of CardioVision, there was no easy, inexpensive or non-invasive way to determine if a person’s vessels had lost flexibility. Many people are never aware that they are walking around with this “silent killer” until they experience their first heart attack or stroke from occluded vessels. It has been estimated that 6-7 million Canadians harbor this silent killer and should make life-style changes, such as getting more exercise, changing their diet, quitting smoking, and reducing cholesterol. While everyone needs to adopt these changes sometimes life-style changes alone are not enough and more aggressive methods such as Chelation therapy, medications or bypass surgery are required. CardioVision identifies people who don’t even think they have a cardiovascular problem because they are non-smokers, exercise regularly, and watch their diet. Consequently, the ASI can be viewed as another cardiovascular “risk factor”, just like high blood pressure or a cholesterol level above 5.2. Additionally, the ASI can be used to monitor the effectiveness of any prescribed cardiovascular therapy. The CardioVision is a true preventive screening and monitoring examination that is appropriate for most everyone.