Heart Health and Stress Assessment

VitalSines has developed a pulse monitor that can accurately measure your cardiovascular risk and stress level.

The sensor clip which is attached to an ear or a finger is using infrared light to measure changes in blood volume. These measurements are digitized and reproduced in real time so that we are able to observe pulse on a beat to beat basis.

The first part of the VitalSines test examines cardiovascular health. When your heart beats, it sends out a wave that ripples down the walls of the aorta (the largest artery in the body). When the wave gets to about the level of the kidneys, it is reflected back to the heart. In a healthy, younger individual this wave returns to the heart as the heart finishes its beat. This results in a reversal of blood flow in the aorta that fills the coronary arteries, feeding the heart muscle.

The speed at which the reflected wave travels is dependent upon the stiffness of the aorta. The stiffer the aorta, the faster the wave will travel. Since aging causes stiffening of the aorta, it also causes the reflected wave to travel faster. This is a problem because the reflected wave ends up coming back to the heart before the heart has finished its contraction phase. The heart, as a result, has to beat against a back flow of blood caused by the reflected wave and it also has to beat against a stiffer aorta. In the end this increases blood pressure, puts a strain on the heart and results in less blood flow to the coronary arteries.

Your arterial pulse has a shape that changes with age in a characteristic manner. The VitalSines Pulse Analysis System is able to identify certain points on your pulse contour that relate to aortic stiffness, specifically, the point when the reflected wave returns to the heart and joins the outgoing pulse wave.

A pulse contour from a middle-aged man is shown in the first diagram below. The First Shoulder is the point where the reflected wave rejoins the pulse wave. The Dicrotic notch is the point that represents the end of heart contraction. In a middle-aged man the reflected wave arrives long before the heart has finished its beat. The second diagram below shows how the pulse contour changes as we age. It can be seen that peak pressure is higher for an older person because of pressure augmentation due to early return of the reflected wave.

An index called Augmentation Index is calculated based on analysis of the pulse shape. The height of the reflected wave shoulder is compared to the peak amplitude of the pulse wave. Augmentation Index is closely related to Aortic stiffness. Aortic stiffness has been found by scientists to be an excellent predictor of cardiovascular health and illness.

The stiffer your aorta, the higher your AI will be. Your AI is then put on a graph that compares your AI to others your age. If you came out above the population mean it indicates that your aortic stiffness is higher than most others that are your age. Your cardiovascular risk will increase the higher above the mean you are. Similarly if you are below the mean it indicates that you have a more compliant aorta than most others your age, and your cardiovascular risk will decrease the lower your AI. If you are right on the mean you are where you should be for your age.

The best way to improve aortic compliance is to exercise regularly. Even walking for twenty minutes four times a week can improve cardiovascular risk in as little as a month. As well, activities such as yoga and tai chi are great for stretching out through the aorta.

The other major aspect of the VitalSines test was to determine stress level. The Heart Rate Variability (HRV) scatter graph assesses stress. Your heart speeds up and slows down on a beat to beat basis. This is related to changes in cardiac output related to breathing. Changes in Heart Rate are controlled by the Autonomic Nervous System. High HRV is associated with good Autonomic Nervous System balance and good health.

The scatter graph displays HRV as a 'cloud' of points. The cloud will appear larger and more spread out with higher HRV. When you are stressed out your Autonomic Nervous System will have an excess of Sympathetic Nervous system activity. This causes your HRV to decrease. The lower your HRV, the more stressed you are.

To improve stress you should try to practice relaxation techniques such as meditation. Even closing your eyes for five minutes and taking some deep can help you to relax.

If you participate in regular exercise spend time each day relaxing, on your follow up visit you should notice improvements in Augmentation Index and Heart rate variability.