Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 16, 2026

Pulse Wave Velocity Testing in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging
Published on: February 7, 2014
Brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity in Japanese university students
Akiko Shiotani1, Mitsugi Motoyama, Tadayuki Matsuda
1Health Administration Center, Wakayama University, Wakayama.
Objective:
Pulse wave velocity (PWV) correlates well with arterial distensibility and stiffness and is a useful non-invasive index to assess arteriosclerosis. The present study was conducted to evaluate the validity of noninvasive brachial-ankle PWV (baPWV) measurements in overweight young adults.
Methods:
Three hundred and fifty-three students were voluntarily enrolled (mean age: 20+/-2, 93 women and 260 men). The subjects were divided into three groups: normal (18.5 < or = body mass index (BMI) <25 n = 120), overweight (25 < or = BMI <30 n = 164) and obese (BMI > or = 30, n = 69). The baPWV was measured using volume-plethymographic apparatus.
Results:
Hypertension and hyperlipidemia were diagnosed in one-third of the subjects of the obese group and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) was diagnosed in 64% of the obese group. The baPWV in male subjects was significantly higher in the obese group than in the overweight group and in the males with NAFLD than in those without NAFLD. The stepwise linear regression analysis showed that PWV was significantly associated with mean blood pressure (p < 0.001) and gamma-GTP (p = 0.03).
Conclusion:
Mean blood pressure was a powerful determination for baPWV in the university students. BaPWV may be useful to predict the initial stage of arteriosclerosis and conceivably NAFLD including nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in obese young adults.
Related Concept Videos
Assessment of blood pressure in brachial artery(one-step method)
Prepare for the Procedure:
Assessment of blood pressure in brachial artery(two-step method)
Assessment of radial pulse
The radial pulse, located at the wrist, is often the preferred site for assessing peripheral pulse because of its accessibility and dependability. The process of determining the radial pulse involves several steps:
Assessment of apical radial pulse
The A-R pulse assessment involves simultaneous evaluation of the apical and radial pulses. When the apical and radial pulse rates vary, this assessment helps identify a pulse deficit.
Pre-Procedural Preparation
Assessing Blood pressure using a doppler ultrasound
Pre-Procedural Guidelines for Doppler Ultrasound Blood Pressure Assessment:
Preparation of Equipment:
Sites for measuring blood pressure
The Brachial Artery: Primary Site for Blood Pressure Measurement
