Arterial disease comprises the number one killer in modern Western society. Impaired arterial function and / or structure can lead to such acute events as myocardial infarction and stroke and also to more subtly progressing ailments such as renal disease, subnormal blood supply to the lower limbs, cognitive decline and erectile dysfunction in men. Early assessment of atherosclerosis is very important because reversal of this stage is possible with appropriate treatment.

In recent years new methods have been devised which allow early detection of arterial disease years before any of these multiple conditions become clinically evident. Through entirely non-invasive methods important features of the arteries can be determined, including the degree of stiffness of the large and small arteries, the capacity of the arterial tree to expand, the speed at which the pressure wave gets transmitted across the large arteries, the ability of the arteries to relax, the thickness of the arterial wall, the actual blood pressure inside the central arteries of the body (rather than that usually taken at the arm) - can all be derived through these methods.

Indeed, impaired arterial properties can predict future cardiovascular event way and beyond of estimates based on traditional risk factors such as high blood pressure or increased cholesterol level. Further, since individuals afflicted with such risk factors show distinct improvement in arterial status when properly treated, non-invasive assessment of the arterial tree can serve as an excellent ancillary guide in the treatment of subjects at risk for future cardiovascular events.

Therefore, the identification of precocious phase of atherosclerosis is extremely useful to guide daily treatment choices in clinical practice.

In our Cardiovascular risk Assessment Unit we use different instruments and techniques to measure preclinical atherosclerosis as a very early detection of all those serious clinical disease. It is possible to assess by this measurements the exact "vascular age" of each individual. All those tests are also very strongly recommended in guidelines of European Society of Hypertension and European Society of Cardiology.

Special requirements

Testing is providing on fasting state or at least 3 hours after meal. Caffeine and smoking restrain is required. Examination lasts approximately 60-90 minutes.  

Appointments

Shirley Aclan or Nechama Golani, 972-3-6973417 or 972-3-6973497

Senior team

Prof. Naftali Stern, Director, Institute of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Hypertension

Dr. Marianna Yaron, Head of Cardiovascular Risk Assessment Unit

E-mail
stern@tasmc.health.gov.il

ramyaron@netvision.net.il