What is SphygmoCor?

The SphygmoCor® technology measures the pulse wave that occurs when the heart beats and the effects that the wave has on the arterial system throughout the body including end organs. This is crucial to measuring risks of ischemic heart disease, which is defined by changes in arteries that bring about narrowing or deterioration. These changes impact the blood supply to your end organs.

Normal brachial blood pressure using current technology, the standard blood pressure taken by your GP, only records the blood pressure in the arm. It is known that this can be anywhere from 20%-50% inaccurate and thus has limited clinical value. Rather, with this technology, we are able to have the most accurate reading of blood pressure from the heart. This is the main attribute of the testing, the ability to devise the central aortic pressure waveform non-invasively.

While this technology is new, the idea is not. The endeavour to gain the information that this testing provides resulted in electrocardiograms, known as ECG. More than 100 years later, we now have the sensors which make this testing possible – alongside the information and advances that came with open heart surgery.

Why is SphygmoCor at Cellworks? 

At Cellworks we make use of the ability to measure the central aortic pressure waveform (the blood pressure closest to the heart) to guide assessment and intervention around health risks. This technology allows for fast, efficient and ongoing testing for our patients with minimal need to refer to outside clinics. Many cardiovascular tests are invasive and expensive, limiting their use and thus the information a clinician has about their patient.

SphygmoCor (pulse wave analysis), because of its extremely sensitive sensors – these are the same sensors used when eye pressure is being gauged by Optometrists) – can identify changes in the arterial system that are not monitored or checked by doing a normal brachial blood pressure check.

As a result of the SphygmoCor’s ability to measure the pulse wave, other factors such as arterial stiffness can be calculated. Arterial stiffness leads to hypertension (raised blood pressure) and hypertension can lead to Cardiovascular disease, left ventricular failure, Angina, Heart Attack, Stroke and it is theorised to play a role in sudden death syndrome.

Using pulse wave analysis we can identify changes, such as artery stiffness, 7-10 years before we would normally see changes in a Brachial blood pressure that would raise clinical concerns. Additionally by the time plaque is able to be measured by existing methods, ischemic heart disease is already advanced. The ability to gain information about artery health earlier and easier means that your personal risk can be best understood and managed.

SphygmoCor technology has proven to be incredibly accurate and repeatable with it’s results. Currently considered the gold standard when it comes to central blood pressure measurement by those undertaking research-  over 1,000 research papers have been produced regarding the use of pulse wave analysis when measuring arterial function, this is the go to control technology for this research.

What happens during and after the test?

The non-invasive testing is similar to getting your blood pressure taken by your GP, and doesn’t require any medication or radiation. Immediately following the testing Dr. Craig will give you a full consultation on your results. These results are contextually based, giving you a comparison to others your height and age. At Cellworks we make sure that you understand the detailed breakdown of your health.

As a part of your testing and consultation you will not only be taken through your detailed personal results, but also given specific advice about lifestyle changes that could impact your health and vitamins that specifically target hypertension.

When you leave the clinic you will have your full results in hand electronically on a USB, or these can be emailed to you. This report is given in easy to understand language so you can get the most from your results. If needed you may be referred to a medical doctor or cardiologist in the unlikely case that your results indicate this kind of medical intervention.

SphygmoCor testing can take place independently through our Heart Health testing and it is also a part of our Executive Health Assessment and the Performance and Longevity programmes. The Executive Health Assessment and the Performance and Longevity programmes give you access to heart testing at no additional cost. To find our more about these programs, click here!

Ischemic heart disease was the leading cause of premature death for Māori males and both non-Māori males and females, and it was the second leading cause of premature death for Māori females.

Cardiovascular disease (heart, stroke and blood vessel disease) is still the leading cause of death in New Zealand, accounting for 30% of deaths annually 

• Every 90 minutes a New Zealander dies from heart disease 
• Many of these deaths are premature and preventable. 

There is a definite need to focus on heart attacks because a heart attack can be sudden with limited warning signs and often the first time the person is aware that they have a problem is when they suffer a heart attack and subsequent death. While a heart attack seems to strike out of nowhere, it actually involves a sequence of steps that build over years to culminate in a crisis experienced over minutes or hours.

By the time that a heart attack heart occurs, for instance, there could have been a build up of plaque and artery deterioration over many years. These changes are indicated by variation in pulse waves and a true understanding of the pressure of blood in the heart and limbs . Through this testing, now available at Cellworks, we can gain accurate insight into your heart health.

What are the signs of a heart attack?

The signs that someone is having a heart attack may include, sweating, crushing chest pain, shortness of breath, cold extremities, a severe stabbing or  punching type pain in their chest, chest pain that radiates up into their neck or jaw or shoulder followed by a burning sensation down their left arm. If you or anyone you know complains of any of these symptoms you should call 111 immediately. Tell the operator that you, or the person you are with, has unexplained chest pain and you need an ambulance.

Early warning signs, possibly in the days leading up to a heart attack might include, mild fleeting type chest pain, indigestion type pain, fatigue, fatigue resulting in cat napping, loss of breath while doing a normal activity such as climbing stairs or physical exhaustion such as the persons normal, run, walk bike, swim, a change in their pallor (the colour of their complexion), which will be pale compared to their usual appearance, and cold extremities.

These early warning signs can be subtle and could in fact be a number of other conditions such as a flu or a virus and herein lies the danger of unsuspected heart disease resulting in a heart attack.

            Causes and risks of heart attack include:

• A family history of heart disease
• Diet, especially a diet which is not high in leafy green vegetables
• High blood pressure
• High stress or low grade chronic stress over an extended period of time.
• Smoking which constricts blood vessels and causes blood to become sticky and tacky therefore restricting blood flow
• Obesity or even weight gain with a BMI above 30
• Diabetes or insulin resistance a ( pre- diabetic state )
• Age
• Excessive Alcohol or caffeine intake
• Blood Markers identifying inflammation  such as – C reactive protein, Homocysteine, and clotting factors such as elevated fibrinogen levels.
• Cholesterol factors such as  Total Cholesterol ratio and HDL ratio and elevated Lippoprotein (a) levels.
• Physical activity.

What, if anything at all, can you do to prevent heart disease? Is having a heart attack just bad luck or was the person’s time up?

There is the good news, more and more research and health professionals agree that heart disease is in-fact preventable. Heart disease is a pathological process, it develops over years. However heart disease is preventable, so too is a heart attack – which could ultimately save someone from an early death! It is crucial, however, to understand what is happening with your heart health long before a cardiac event.