Heart disease affects more people than any other disease or illness, and can develop without any symptoms. Some people may not be aware of heart disease until they have a heart attack, stroke or other health problem.

A growing number of cardiovascular risk factors, including diabetes, high cholesterol, smoking, high blood pressure and age, have been linked to heart attack, stroke and heart failure. These factors often lead to stiffer arteries that increase the work that the heart must do.

Central blood pressure assessment is a new way for your doctor to assess your cardiovascular health. Blood pressure measured in your arm is not the same as the blood pressure at your heart. The pressure at your heart affects the performance of your heart and other organs.

Central blood pressure assessment measures the blood pressure at your heart and gives your doctor valuable information about the interaction between your heart and blood vessels. The test is painless, takes a few minutes and provides your doctor with instant test results.

The SphygmoCor measurement is simple and painless, taking only a few minutes to perform. While you are seated in a comfortable position, the nurse or doctor will place a pencil-like sensor gently against your wrist and record a blood pressure signal from your pulse. The test provides your physician with the pressure at the heart along with a wide range of valuable information about your heart and arteries. The report also shows how your results compare with those of other men or women your age.

With SphygmoCor XCEL, it is even easier. A special Blood pressure cuff will be placed on your arm, and the pressure at the arm, and your arterial stiffness, will be calculated from this measurement. The SphygmoCor XCEL measurement is painless, and takes only 60 seconds.