Pulse Wave Propagation Speed

The speed of propagation of the pulse wave is a hemodynamic indicator that characterizes the speed of movement of the pressure wave caused by the systole of the heart through the aorta and large arteries of the body. This indicator is an important indicator of the state of the cardiovascular system and can be used to diagnose and monitor various diseases related to the heart and blood vessels.

The speed of propagation of the pulse wave is measured using a special device - a sphygmomanometer, which measures the pressure in the arteries throughout the body. After this, the data is transferred to a computer for processing and analysis.

For a healthy person, the speed of pulse wave propagation is about 5 meters per second. However, with various diseases, such as hypertension, atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease and others, the speed of propagation of the pulse wave may increase. This is due to the fact that in these diseases, vasoconstriction occurs, which makes it difficult for the pulse wave to pass through the arteries and increases its speed.

In addition, pulse wave velocity can also be used to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment for various diseases of the cardiovascular system. For example, when using drugs to treat hypertension, the speed of propagation of the pulse wave decreases, which indicates an improvement in the patient’s condition.

Thus, the speed of pulse wave propagation is an important indicator of the state of the cardiovascular system, which can be used for diagnosing and monitoring diseases, as well as for assessing the effectiveness of treatment.

The speed of propagation of the pulse wave is a hemodynamic indicator of the heart and determines its ability to pump blood through the circulatory system. This is an important parameter that may indicate the presence of various diseases or conditions of the body. In this article we will look at what pulse wave propagation speed is, what factors influence it, and how to measure it.

Pulse wave velocity (PWV)