GUIDELINES FOR PULSE WAVE ANALYSIS

High blood pressure is considered the number one risk factor for cardiovascular disease. According to the Federal Statistical Office, in 2017 around 37% of deaths were attributable to cardiovascular diseases alone. In many cases, classic risk factors such as high blood pressure, age, nicotine consumption, diabetes or lipid metabolism disorders already indicate an increased risk of disease. For the best possible risk assessment of cardiovascular disease, the ESC/ESH guidelines recommend that pulse wave analysis be performed additionally. The risk factors change the vascular function at an early stage and lead to increased arterial stiffness and arteriosclerosis.
For the diagnosis and therapy of patients with high blood pressure, the measurement of pulse wave analysis has therefore been included in current European and German hypertension guidelines.