Did you know that heart disease is the number one cause of death in America in both men AND women?
There is good news: Heart disease can often be prevented. With a simple and non-invasive test called the Max Pulse, we can see how your heart is functioning and assess overall cardiovascular and autonomic nervous system health.
T
he
Max Pulse
is a simple, non-invasive, FDA Class II medical screening device. It provides measurements using Photoelectric Plethysmography (PTG), Accelerated Plethysmography, and other technologies.
PTG is a technique for measuring the amount of blood flow present, or passing through, an organ or other part of the body. It is used to diagnose deep vein thrombosis and arterial occlusive disease.
How is the test performed?
Using a finger clip, the blood's pulse wave is followed from the time it leaves the heart and travels through the blood vessels down to the finger. The pulse wave is a snapshot into the cardiovascular system and evaluates arterial elasticity, which is related to atherosclerosis. Arterial stiffness is a major cardiovascular risk factor.
There is strong scientific evidence supporting the use of plethysmography as a diagnostic and prognostic tool for early warning signs of cardiovascular disease and peripheral vascular disease (including primary and secondary Raynaud's phenomenon).
What does the test analyze?
- Heart Rate Variablilty (HRV) - Determines one's overall health status and the functioning of autonomic nerve system. "Meta-analyses of published data demonstrate that reduced cardiovascular autonomic function, as measured by heart rate variability, is strongly associated with an increased risk of silent myocardial ischemia (lack of oxygen to the heart w/o symptoms) and mortality."
- Differential Pulse Wave Index (DPI) - Overall cardiovascular health.
- Eccentric Constriction (EC) - Constriction power of vessels from the left ventricle.
- Arterial Elasticity (AE) - Overall elasticity of large, small and peripheral arteries (arterial stiffness).
- Remaining Blood Volume (RBV) - Remaining blood in the vessels after systolic contraction of the heart.
- Wave Type - Aging vascular health indicator.
- Mean Heart Rate - Average beats per minute or heart rate.
- Arteriosclerosis Progress - 7 pictorial wave types showing typical artery status.
- Stress Score - Overall stress health compared to resistance levels.
- Stress Levels - Mental stress, physical stress, and resistance to stress. Changes in pressure, velocity, blood volume, and other indices.
What to do to prepare for the test:
Make an appointment for the
Max Pulse
test by calling Partners in Health Care, Naturally at
928-445-2900.
The day of your test, do not ingest any caffeine or do anything outside of your typical daily routine.
If you use nail polish or gel nail overlays, you will need to have it removed from your left index finger prior to the test. (The light pulse cannot read through these materials.)
The test will take about 5 minutes to run. After receiving the results, you may make an appointment for further analysis if desired.
If you have a Wave Type of 1 and all else looks good, you have very little risk of cardiovascular disease or nervous system issues. If you have Wave Type 2-5, I suggest you schedule an appointment. It can mean added years of high quality of life for you!
Blessings,
Dr. Susan Godman