Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 22, 2025

Non-invasive Assessment of Microvascular and Endothelial Function
Published on: January 29, 2013
Clinical Evaluation Tool for Vascular Health-Endothelial Function and Cardiovascular Disease Management
Fang Wen1, Yue Liu1, Hongyu Wang1,2,3,4,5,6
1Department of Vascular Medicine, Peking University Shougang Hospital, Beijing 100144, China.
Insights
Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are a major health burden in China. Early detection and lifelong vascular health management, focusing on endothelial function, can prevent cardiovascular events and support national health goals.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Preventive Cardiology
- Health Informatics
Background:
- Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) represent a significant health burden in China, causing a high mortality rate.
- Vascular health management, including assessing endothelial dysfunction, is crucial for preventing CVD.
- Peking University Shougang Hospital pioneered lifelong vascular health management in China since 2010.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review advances in clinical assessment of vascular endothelial function.
- To introduce the Beijing Vascular Health Stratification (BVHS) system for comprehensive vascular health evaluation.
- To explore the role of information technology and artificial intelligence in CVD prevention.
Main Methods:
- Clinical assessment of vascular endothelial function.
- Evaluation of arteriosclerosis and identification of novel biomarkers.
- Application of the Beijing Vascular Health Stratification (BVHS) system.
- Integration of information technology and artificial intelligence in vascular health management.
Main Results:
- BVHS provides a comprehensive system for vascular aging assessment.
- Information technology and AI enhance vascular health management strategies.
- Improved endothelial function and controlled risk factors can prevent cardiovascular events.
Conclusions:
- Lifelong vascular health management guided by BVHS can effectively prevent CVD.
- Strengthening cardiovascular health and endothelial function assessment is vital for at-risk populations.
- This approach supports the "Healthy China 2030" plan through proactive CVD prevention.
Abstract:
There are 330 million people suffering from cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in China, and two out of every five deaths were due to CVD. CVD has become the main disease burden in China. Vascular health management can detect subclinical vascular diseases such as endothelial dysfunction. Through controlling risk factors, vascular function, such as endothelial function, can be improved and cardiovascular events can be prevented from the upstream. Peking University Shougang hospital is the first practitioner of life-long vascular health management since 2010 in China. The established Beijing Vascular Health Stratification (BVHS) focuses on the comprehensive evaluation of vascular health function and structure and explores the application of information technology and artificial intelligence in vascular health management. The life-long vascular health management and tertiary hospital-primary hospital-family service model guided by BVHS can better realize the prophylaxis of CVD. The prevention and control strategy of CVD based on information technology and vascular health, especially endothelial function management, can help to implement the "healthy China 2030" plan. In this review, we focus on advances in the clinical assessment of vascular endothelial function, including the evaluation of endothelial function, the evaluation of arteriosclerosis, new potential biological markers to provide new possible therapeutic targets, and BVHS, a comprehensive vascular aging assessment system. Strengthening the assessment of cardiovascular health and endothelial function is of great significance for the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases in risk groups and the occurrence of adverse events in patients with cardiovascular diseases.
Related Concept Videos
Assessment of the Cardiovascular System I: Subjective Data
Initial Enquiry
Ask the patient about their primary concern and thoroughly explore all reported symptoms.
Medical History
Investigate past illnesses affecting the cardiovascular system, such as angina, anemia, rheumatic fever, congenital heart disease, stroke, thrombophlebitis, dysrhythmias, varicosities
Inquire about symptoms...
Assessment of the Cardiovascular System II: Inspection
Head and Neck
Peripheral Arterial Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Evaluation
Assessment of the Cardiovascular System III: Palpation
Jugular Venous Pressure (JVP) Measurement
Position the patient at a thirty- to forty-five-degree angle or in a semi-fowler's position. Look for the highest point of pulsation in the internal jugular vein and measure the vertical distance to the angle of Loius or sternal angle. A normal JVP is 3-4 cm above...
Exercise Stress Test
Exercise stress testing, commonly known as a treadmill test, is a noninvasive procedure used to evaluate cardiovascular function and diagnose heart conditions.
Definition
An exercise stress test measures the heart's response to exertion using a treadmill or stationary bicycle. Chest electrodes record the heart's electrical activity through an ECG, and blood pressure is monitored regularly.
Purposes
Pulse Assessment Sites

