Imagine you’re at the beach, and you throw a stone into a calm lake. The waves created by the stone spread out across the water, right? Well, your heart creates a similar “wave” every time it beats, but instead of water, it’s a “pressure wave” that travels through your arteries. This is what we call Pulse Wave Velocity (PWV).
This parameter recognized as the primary factor for assessing arterial stiffness, serves as a potential indicator for early detection of atherosclerosis. Therefore, What is pulse wave velocity? It’s the speed at which the pressure wave, initiated by ventricular contraction, travels through the arteries.
When arteries are healthy and flexible, they can easily expand and contract with each heartbeat, helping blood flow smoothly. But when arteries become stiff, they can’t expand as much, so they push back harder against the blood. This extra resistance makes the pressure wave from each heartbeat (called the pulse wave) travel faster through stiff arteries than it would through flexible ones.
Pulse wave velocity (PWV) measures how fast the pressure wave moves through your arteries. When arteries are stiff, the wave moves faster. A higher PWV can be a sign of less flexible arteries, which may indicate heart or blood vessel problems.
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Speed vs. Velocity
Speed is how fast something moves, while velocity is how fast something moves with direction. For example, a car going 60 kilometers per hour shows its speed, but going 60 kilometers per hour north shows its velocity. If you drive 10 kilometers east and then 10 kilometers west, your speed stays the same both ways, but your velocity is zero because you returned to where you started.
We say pulse wave velocity instead of pulse wave speed because velocity means how fast something moves and where it is going. The pulse wave travels from the heart through the blood vessels, so direction is important. Speed only tells us how fast it moves, but velocity tells us how fast and which way it moves.
Pulse Wave Velocity Normal Range
As previously described, PWV serves as the premier method for quantifying arterial stiffness. Consequently, awareness of the normal range for PWV could assist physicians in initiating early interventions for lowering levels of arterial stiffness. PWV values depend on both the method used and the device.
In 2007, the ESH/ESC hypertension guidelines established a threshold of 12 m/s for carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity. However, this threshold was subsequently revised to 10 m/s in 2013 and 2024. Various research studies have found that aortic PWV, rather than carotid-femoral PWV, serves as a strong predictor of future cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality. Consequently, knowing the normal range of aortic PWV for each individual plays a significant role in the management of hypertension.
Pulse Wave Velocity By Age
Just like how your skin gets a little wrinkled as you get older, your arteries can become less flexible too. Based on the 2009 study by Benczúr et al, which included over 17,000 subjects, arterial stiffness measurements were performed using the Arteriograph, recognized as a gold standard device. The table below illustrates the normal range for Aortic PWV in different age groups:.
| Age category (years) | Median aoPWV (m/s) |
| <10 | 5.44 |
| 10 – 20 | 6.08 |
| 20 – 30 | 6.69 |
| 30 – 40 | 7.29 |
| 40 – 50 | 8.38 |
| 50 – 60 | 9.81 |
| 60 – 70 | 10.15 |
| 70 – 80 | 10.41 |
| 80 – 90 | 11.02 |
It should be noted that according to this study, these normal PWV values belong to subjects with optimal or normal blood pressure values and no additional cardiovascular risk factors.
Why Is PWV Considered Important?
For every 1 meter per second increase in Pulse Wave Velocity (PWV), the chance of having future cardiovascular events goes up by 15%. This shows how important it is to keep track of PWV, as it can help find early signs of cardiovascular diseases. By regularly measuring PWV, doctors can spot issues early and take action before they get worse. This is like checking the brakes on a car before they fail—catching small problems early can prevent bigger issues later. Monitoring PWV can help protect against heart disease and lead to better health in the long run [1].
Pulse Wave Velocity Calculation
Pulse Wave Velocity (PWV) measures how fast pressure waves, generated by the heart’s pumping action, travel through the arteries. These waves move faster in stiff or less elastic arteries and slower in more flexible, healthy arteries. By analyzing this velocity, doctors can assess arterial stiffness, which is a key indicator of cardiovascular health.
The calculation of PWV follows a simple formula:
PWV=S/ΔT
where:
- S is the physical distance between two specific arterial sites where the pulse is measured.
- ΔT is the time it takes for the pulse wave to travel between these two points.
By dividing the distance by the time delay, the velocity of the pulse wave is determined.
Pulse Wave Velocity Formula Based on Arteriograph Method
As previously mentioned, velocity means how fast something moves and in which direction.
To measure Aortic PWV, we need:
- Distance: The length of the aorta. (From the jugulum—base of the neck—to the symphysis—lower pelvic bone)
- Time: How long the pulse wave takes to travel this distance.
The Formula for PWV:
What It Means:
- S (Jug–Sy): The distance the pulse travels (length of the aorta).
- RT/2: The time for the pulse wave to travel through the aorta.
Why is RT (Return Time) divided by 2?
When we measure RT (Return Time), we are timing how long it takes for the pulse wave to:
- Travel down the aorta (from the heart to the lower body).
- Bounce back (return) to the starting point.
So, RT measures a round trip—going down and back up.
In the Arteriograph method, Aortic PWV is calculated based on the return time of the pulse wave rather than measuring it between two physical arterial sites. Since only one measurement site is available, this method relies on detecting both the direct wave and the reflected wave that bounces back from bifurcation site. The key parameter here is the time difference between these two waves, which needs to be detected with the highest possible accuracy. By precisely identifying the moment when the reflected wave returns, the Arteriograph calculates Aortic PWV without needing multiple measurement points. This makes the method efficient and non-invasive, though it requires highly accurate signal processing to ensure precise timing of wave detection.
In Simple Terms:
- If the pulse moves fast, arteries are stiff.
- If the pulse moves slowly, arteries are flexible and healthier.
Pulse Wave Velocity Measurement & Arteriograph
The Arteriograph is the preferred device for measuring aortic pulse wave velocity, a critical parameter for assessing cardiovascular health. Its accuracy has been validated through comparisons with invasive methods, and leading research institutes have endorsed it as the most reliable product available. In addition to measuring PWV, the Arteriograph is capable of assessing pulse wave analysis parameters, including central blood pressure and the augmentation index.
Performing Pulse Wave Velocity measurement with the Arteriograph is very simple and is chosen as the best and most convenient method with the highest accuracy. The operator has minimal effect on the measurement as it is fully automatic.
Contact us to get answers to any questions you may have or to get a quote for the Arteriograph set.