23 May 2014 12:19:30
CardioHealth NI – Give your arteries an MOT!
Gordons Chemists are pleased to offer a new cardiovascular screening clinic.
Statistics indicate that around 60% of the time in heart attack cases, a
standard cholesterol or blood pressure test won’t have revealed anything out of
the ordinary. Guidelines (published in 2007) from the European Society of
Hypertension recommend measuring arterial stiffness in patients with arterial
hypertension (high blood pressure).
Gordons Chemists are pleased to offer across Northern Ireland a
cardiovascular screening clinic, using a state-of-the-art arteriograph.
CardioHealth NI is the first and only company in Northern Ireland that uses an
arteriograph; a session with CardioHealth NI at one of our cardiovascular
screening clinics is priced at only £50.
A cardiovascular screening using an arteriograph reveals much more than
a typical blood pressure or cholesterol test will. By offering this
cardiovascular screening clinic, we allow the patient to have a better
understanding of the health of their arteries. As such they can make the
decision to take control of their cardiovascular health – hopefully reducing
the incidence or severity of heart attack, stroke or high blood pressure.
In addition to identifying underlying health problems, the screening
includes recommendations on diet and natural health solutions. A detailed
report allows the patient to consult with their GP or medical professional in
order to seek further advice and treatment, based on the findings of the
screening.
The cardiovascular screening clinic is suitable for anyone aged 16 years
and over, or anyone with a family history of heart disease, kidney disease or
diabetes. It’s also suitable for anyone who drinks alcohol or smokes, is
overweight, or participates in (or is returning to) a sport.
About the Arteriograph
An arteriograph is a sophisticated instrument used for detecting changes
to the artery walls. The arteriograph uses a cuff that contains special
pressure sensors.
These pressure sensors are designed to detect the Pulse Wave (pressure
wave) that leaves the heart as it contracts. When the pulse wave reaches the
end of the arterial system, it is then reflected back towards the heart. Three
key measurements are taken from this pulse wave.
An arteriograph reveals damage to the heart and arteries that a standard
blood pressure or cholesterol test will not. It measures parameters that
indicate if the patient might at risk of heart attack or stroke, including:
Central Systolic Blood Pressure
This in effect measures blood pressure, at the heart. Studies indicate
that this is of greater value than measuring blood pressure on the arm.
Brachial Augmentation
This reveals early damage to, and clogging up of, your smaller arteries.
When arterial clogging begins, it occurs firstly in the small arteries of the
hands and feet. This can be measured and it indicates the degree of clogging
and the damage to the inner lining of your smaller arteries.
Pulse Wave Velocity
The speed of the pressure wave described above is measured over a given
distance. An increased speed indicates a clogging of the arteries. There is a
direct correlation between this, and an increased risk of heart attack/stroke.
The reading is often found to be abnormal in patients with kidney disease,
diabetes, sufferers of rheumatoid arthritis, and smokers.
The Arteriograph is a new, easy-to-use, and time-effective method for
assessing arterial stiffness. Prior to the arteriograph, there were (and still
are) two invasive methods used within a hospital setting: the tonometric and
piezo-electronic systems (SphygmoCor and Complior).
An arteriograph is not intended as a replacement for these. Instead, the
device is intended for use as a quick, affordable and non-invasive means of
diagnosing an underlying condition that the patient may not be aware of.
Clinical trials (see below for details) reveal that an arteriograph gives
accurate results (which are comparable to the two systems mentioned).
The main advantage of using an arteriograph is that it offers a quick
and affordable assessment, using only the upper arm.
Other methods involve a detailed examination and take time to complete.
Typically, these (due to the time and expense involved in completing a
screening) aren’t readily available at the request of a patient.
CardioHealth NI’s cardiovascular screening clinics offer the patient the
opportunity to have a detailed and accurate assessment of their cardiovascular
system completed – at a relatively low price, in a location close to them, in
just half an hour.
Clinical Evidence
Publications on the validation of the Arteriograph device:
- Baulmann, J. et al.
- "A new oscillometric method for
assessment of arterial stiffness: comparison with tonometric and
piezo-electronic methods"
- J Hypertens 2008, 26:523-528
- http://www.arteriograph.hu/downloads/pdf/Baulmann%20validation-J-Hypert%2708March-Cover.pdf
- Jatoi, N.A., et al.
- “Assessment of arterial stiffness in
hypertension: comparison of oscillometric (Arteriograph), piezoelectronic
(Complior) and tonometric (SphygmoCor) techniques”
- J Hypertens 2009, 27:2186–2191
- http://www.arteriograph.hu/downloads/pdf/Mahmud-Feely-Compl-Sphygm-Art-JHypert-Oct%2709.pdf
- Boutouyrie P, Revera M and Parati G.
- “Obtaining arterial stiffness indices from
simple arm cuff measurements: the holy grail?”
- J Hypertension 2009; 27:2159-2161
- http://www.arteriograph.hu/downloads/pdf/Boutouyrie-Editorial-JHypert-Oct%2709.pdf
- Rajzer MW, Wojciechowska W, Klocek M, Palka
I, Brzozowska-Kiszka M, Kawecka-Jaszcz K.
- “Comparison of aortic pulse wave velocity
measured by three techniques: Complior, SphygmoCor and
Arteriograph.”
- J Hypertens 2008; 26:2001-7
- http://www.arteriograph.hu/downloads/pdf/Marek%20Rajzer%20comp%20study%20with%20ARG.pdf
- Horváth, G.I. et al
- “Invasive validation of a new oscillometric
device (Arteriograph) for measuring augmentation index, central blood
pressure and aortic pulse wave velocity”
- J Hypertens 2010, 28:2068–2075
- http://www.arteriograph.hu/downloads/pdf/Invasive%20validation%20JoH%202010%2028.pdf
- Parati G, Buyzere de M
- “Evaluating aortic stiffness through an arm
cuff oscillometric device: is validation against invasive measurements
enough?"
- Journal of Hypertension 2010, 28:2003–2006
- http://www.arteriograph.hu/downloads/pdf/Parati%20Editorial%20Comment%20on%20invasive%20validation.pdf
