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Updated: Jun 22, 2026

Measuring the Carotid to Femoral Pulse Wave Velocity (Cf-PWV) to Evaluate Arterial Stiffness
05:51

Measuring the Carotid to Femoral Pulse Wave Velocity (Cf-PWV) to Evaluate Arterial Stiffness

Published on: May 3, 2018

Arterial compliance in the elderly: its effect on blood pressure measurement and cardiovascular outcomes

Mary Ann Lim1, Raymond R Townsend

  • 1Renal Electrolyte and Hypertension Division, Department of Medicine, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, 1 Founders Building, 3400 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.

Clinics in Geriatric Medicine
|June 27, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Arterial stiffness increases with age, contributing to hypertension and cardiovascular risks. Understanding and preventing vascular stiffening is crucial for better health outcomes in the elderly.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Physiology
  • Gerontology
  • Vascular Biology

Background:

  • Aging human vasculature leads to decreased arterial compliance.
  • This stiffening is linked to age-dependent isolated systolic hypertension.
  • It independently predicts mortality and cardiovascular events.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the physiology of the arterial system.
  • To examine the effects of aging on arterial stiffness.
  • To discuss implications for hypertension and cardiovascular outcomes in the elderly.

Main Methods:

  • Historical perspective on pulse wave analysis.
  • Review of normal arterial physiology.
  • Analysis of aging effects on arterial system and stiffness measures.

Main Results:

  • Arterial stiffness is a significant factor in aging vasculature.
  • Increased stiffness correlates with hypertension and adverse cardiovascular outcomes.
  • Current knowledge on preventing vascular stiffness is reviewed.

Conclusions:

  • Loss of arterial compliance is a key aspect of vascular aging.
  • Arterial stiffness impacts hypertension and mortality in the elderly.
  • Further research into prevention strategies for vascular stiffness is warranted.

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