Blood pressure (BP) is actually a composite of three separate forces: 1) cardiac output (the amount of blood being pumped from the heart); 2) systemic vascular resistance (the "stiffness" of the walls of the cardiovascular system); and 3) fluid or volume status (the total amount of fluid within the cardiovascular system). "Vasoconstriction" (elevation of systemic vascular resistance) is a very important clue for the presence of atherosclerosis or cardiovascular disease in general. However, since cardiovascular disease is also commonly associated with a decrease in cardiac output, measurement of BP alone can underestimate the degree of vasconstriction and associated cardiovascular pathology.

In the past, the only way to get around this problem was with right-heart catheterization (also known as pulmonary artery catheterization) - an invasive, risky procedure usually performed in a hospital's intensive care unit. Today, a techology known as impedance cardiography (ICG) also allows direct measurement of cardiac output, systemic vascular resistance and fluid status - but in a completetly non-invasive, zero-risk fashion. At The Heart Attack Prevention Institute (HAPI) of Naples, FL, office ICG testing using a high-tech monitor from CardioDynamics can provide such important, detailed cardiovascular infomation in only a few minutes of the patient's time (LINK TO CARDIODYNAMICS WEBSITE).

Schedule an appointment at the

Heart Attack Prevention Institute (HAPI) of Naples, FL

at (239) 261-4274 today!