The Role of Elevated Central Aortic Pressure in Long-Term Brain Health

Hypertension is perhaps the most prominent clinical risk factor for stroke. Controlling hypertension improves vascular outcomes. Lowering blood pressure in middle-aged adults with hypertension can reduce the subsequent development of dementia or cognitive impairment. Elevated central pressures have been associated with an increased risk of vascular events and cognitive impairment. Monitoring of central pressures can provide information that helps treatment decisions. The SphygmoCor XCEL system is a dual arterial pressure monitoring medical device consisting of brachial blood pressure and central aortic pressures, which can be obtained in the clinic in the same visit. The SphygmoCor XCEL is the only FDA cleared medical device for non-invasive central arterial pressure waveform analysis for all adults. Including a dual arterial blood pressure monitoring system as part of patient care is anticipated to improve understanding of vascular physiology, determination of risk to a healthy brain and provide additional guidance for treatment decisions with the objective of improving brain health.