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
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