Brain Health

Determine Dementia Risk and Boost Brain Health

with Digital Vascular Biomarkers

Fast Facts

3s

A new case of dementia arises somewhere in the world every 3 seconds.1

62%

of healthcare practitioners incorrectly think that dementia is part of normal aging.2

80%

of the general public are concerned about developing dementia at some point in their life.3

Cognitive Decline & Arterial Stiffening Go Hand-in-Hand

Brain Health and Arterial Stiffness

Arterial stiffness significantly impacts brain health, affecting cognitive functions and increasing stroke risk. Stiffer arteries can't buffer heartbeat forces, leading to elevated blood pressure and reduced cerebral blood flow. This can impair cognition and heighten the risk of vascular dementia. Additionally, increased arterial pressures may damage brain vessels and further elevating stroke risk. Therefore, monitoring and managing arterial stiffness is essential for optimal brain function.
Research Highlights

Promote Cognitive Wellness

Vascular biomarkers reflect aging and stress, impacting cerebral blood flow and brain function. By monitoring these biomarkers, healthcare professionals can predict and manage risks of cerebrovascular diseases like stroke and dementia. Early detection enables timely interventions, from lifestyle changes to pharmacotherapy, to protect brain health. Continuous monitoring also helps assess treatment effectiveness in reducing arterial stiffness, enhancing cognitive function and overall neurological health.

Utility of Vascular Biomarkers in Brain Health

  • Bangen KJ, Smirnov DS, Delano-Wood L, et al.

    Elevated PWV is associated with poorer cognitive performance in older adults, particularly on memory tasks, in those who are at risk for AD.

    Bangen KJ, Smirnov DS, Delano-Wood L, et al.
    Alzheimer's Research & Therapy
  • Pase MP, Pipingas A, Kras M, Nolidin K, Gibbs AL, et al.

    Pulse pressure was an independent predictor of both episodic secondary memory performance (P < 0.05) and speed of memory retrieval (P < 0.05). Augmentation index was also an independent predictor of speed of memory (P < 0.01).

    Pase MP, Pipingas A, Kras M, Nolidin K, Gibbs AL, et al.
    Journal of Hypertension
  • Bangen KJ, Smirnov DS, Delano-Wood L, et al.

    Pulse wave velocity, a non-invasive method to assess arterial wall properties, may be a useful marker of risk for cognitive decline, particularly among individuals who are APOE ε4 carriers or CSF AD biomarker-positive.

    Bangen KJ, Smirnov DS, Delano-Wood L, et al.
    Alzheimer's Research & Therapy

Vascular Biomarkers Explained

Vascular biomarkers are revolutionizing not only cardiovascular health management but also clinical research and personal wellness strategies.

These critical indicators offer a comprehensive evaluation of the cardiovascular system's health across a broad spectrum, from clinical trials to individual health monitoring. By assessing key markers such as endothelial function, arterial stiffness, and coronary flow reserve, they enable a nuanced understanding of cardiovascular risks and conditions.

This valuable insight facilitates early intervention, personalized health optimization, and the development of targeted treatments in clinical settings, significantly advancing patient care and wellness initiatives.

Brachial Blood Pressure

What it Is
Brachial blood pressure measures the pressure of blood at the brachial artery using a blood pressure cuff.

Why it Matters
High blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke, both of which are leading causes of death in the US.

Central Blood Pressure

What it Is
Calculated using pulse wave analysis and a traditional brachial cuff, central blood pressure measures pressure at the root of the aorta.

Why it Matters
Central blood pressure reflects key vascular issues such as arterial stiffness, which makes it a more accurate predictor of subclinical cardiovascular disease than traditional brachial blood pressure alone.

Subendocardial Viability Ratio

What it Is
Subendocardial viability ratio measures the supply of blood that flows to your inner heart muscle in relation to demand.

Why it Matters
SEVR offers insight into how well a person’s heart can handle the stress of exercise.

Augmentation Pressure

What it Is
Augmentation pressure refers to the increase in central aortic pressure caused pressure wave reflection.

Why it Matters
A marker of arterial stiffness, elevated augmentation pressure is associated with cardiovascular risk factors as well as increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.

Augmentation Index

What it Is
An indirect measure of arterial stiffness that increases with age, augmentation index reflects the burden stiff arteries place on the heart.

Why it Matters
Chronic stress on the heart and the cardiovascular system can lead to heart failure and hypertrophy (enlarged heart).

Central Pulse Pressure

What it Is
The height of pressure at the heart, central pulse pressure shows the pressure to which key organs like the heart, brain, and kidneys are exposed.

Why it Matters
Central pulse pressure helps identify the risk of end organ damage to key organs like the brain, kidney and heart.

Medical Grade Heart Rate
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Pulse Wave Velocity

What it Is
Pulse wave velocity measures arterial stiffness.

Why it Matters
Increases in arterial stiffness are generally based on the loss of elasticity in the aorta artery walls over time and increases the strain on the heart from heightened pressures. Increased aortic stiffness using PWV is a validated predictor of cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality.

 
cbpCentral Blood Pressure

What it Is
Calculated using pulse wave analysis and a traditional brachial cuff, central blood pressure measures pressure at the root of the aorta.

Why it Matters
Central blood pressure reflects key vascular issues such as arterial stiffness, which makes it a more accurate predictor of subclinical cardiovascular disease than traditional brachial blood pressure alone.

 
bbpBrachial Blood Pressure

What it Is
Brachial blood pressure measures the pressure of blood at the brachial artery using a blood pressure cuff.

Why it Matters
High blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke, both of which are leading causes of death in the US.

 
sevrSubendocardial Viability Ratio

What it Is
Subendocardial viability ratio measures the supply of blood that flows to your inner heart muscle in relation to demand.

Why it Matters SEVR offers insight into how well a person’s heart can handle the stress of exercise.

 
medical grade heart rateMedical Grade Heart Measurement

What it Is
A beat-to-beat heart rate measurement on par with standard ECG-based methods.

Why it Matters
A consistently high resting heart rate may be a sign of coronary heart disease and is associated with a greater risk of stroke.

 
cppCentral Pulse Pressure

What it Is
The height of pressure at the heart, central pulse pressure shows the pressure to which key organs like the heart, brain, and kidneys are exposed.

Why it Matters
Central pulse pressure helps identify the risk of end organ damage to key organs like the brain, kidney and heart.

 
cppPulse Wave Velocity

What it Is
Pulse wave velocity measures arterial stiffness.

Why it Matters
Increases in arterial stiffness are generally based on the loss of elasticity in the aorta artery walls over time and increases the strain on the heart from heightened pressures. Increased aortic stiffness using PWV is a validated predictor of cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality.

 
augmentation pressureAugmentation Pressure

What it Is
Augmentation pressure refers to the increase in central aortic pressure caused pressure wave reflection.

Why it Matters
A marker of arterial stiffness, elevated augmentation pressure is associated with cardiovascular risk factors as well as increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.

 
augmentation indexAugmentation Index

What it Is
An indirect measure of arterial stiffness that increases with age, augmentation index reflects the burden stiff arteries place on the heart.

Why it Matters
Chronic stress on the heart and the cardiovascular system can lead to heart failure and hypertrophy (enlarged heart).

Hover over each biomarker above to learn more

Incorporate Vascular Biomarkers into Management of Brain Health

Download Reimbursement Guide

In-Clinic

  • Implement routine screening to determine risk of cerebrovascular diseases.
  • Develop targeted interventions, both lifestyle and pharmacological, based on the vascular biomarker results.
  • Reimbursable with CPT 93050.

At Home

  • Regular monitoring of vascular biomarkers enables early detection of potential risks for stroke, dementia, and cognitive decline.
  • Integration with telemedicine enables ongoing patient-provider interaction and enhances personalized care.
  • Reimbursable with CPT 9945x & 99091.

SphygmoCor® XCEL

Capture comprehensive central hemodynamics and arterial stiffness insights at point-of-care and in clinical trials.

Explore XCEL

CONNEQT Pulse

Monitor arterial health insights with ease at home and on-the-go.

Explore Pulse

Oscar 2

Gold standard in 24-hour central hemodynamics and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM).

Explore Oscar 2

1, 2, 3 Alzheimer's Disease International (ADI)

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