Why Should We Care About?
You’ve probably had your blood pressure checked dozens of times. It’s one of the first things they do at a doctor’s appointment. But there’s something else—something arguably more revealing—when it comes to understanding your risk for heart disease: arterial stiffness.
When arteries become less flexible, the heart has to work harder to push blood through your body. Over time, this extra strain can raise the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and even heart failure. The problem is, you can’t feel this happening—until it’s too late.
What Is Pulse Wave Velocity?
That’s where Pulse Wave Velocity, or PWV, comes in. This test measures how fast the pressure wave created by each heartbeat travels through your arteries. It’s one of the most reliable ways to see how stiff (or healthy) your arteries are.
In short:
- Low PWV= soft, flexible arteries (good)
- High PWV= stiff arteries (not good)
It’s simple physics—stiffer tubes carry waves faster. So if the wave moves quickly, it’s a red flag.
Why PWV Beats Standard Blood Pressure Tests
Traditional blood pressure readings tell you about the pressure in your arteries at a specific moment, but they don’t show the condition of the artery walls. That’s what makes PWV such a game-changer. It goes deeper. It looks at how your arteries are actually aging.
Many experts now consider PWV a better early-warning tool than standard blood pressure alone. It can uncover risks years before symptoms appear.
How Cardiotech Measures PWV
At Cardiotech Healthcare, we offer a non-invasive test that measures PWV quickly and accurately. It’s completely painless, which means you do not have to stress about it at all — no needles, no bad experiences. We also check your augmentation index, another important marker that looks at how your heart and arteries are interacting under pressure.
Combined, these metrics give a clear picture of your vascular age—often more insightful than your actual age.
Learn more about the Cardiotech test here.
Can You Reverse Arterial Stiffness?
Yes, in many cases, you can make real improvements. Arteries don’t bounce back overnight, but changes in lifestyle can slow down or even reverse the stiffening process.
Try this:
- Move more: Regular cardio helps keep vessels flexible.
- Eat smart: Less salt, more leafy greens, healthy fats, and fibre.
- Quit smoking: It’s one of the biggest contributors to vascular ageing.
- Manage stress: Chronic tension takes a real toll on your heart.
- Watch your numbers: Track blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar.
It’s all connected—and your arteries will thank you.
Take Charge Before Symptoms Show Up
PWV is an opportunity to catch changes early and make meaningful shifts in your health. You don’t need to wait for a crisis. Testing is fast, affordable, and could give you peace of mind—or an early head start on turning things around.
Book your vascular checkup with Cardiotech today. Your arteries may be aging—but you can still stay young at heart.