06Nov
What Is Vascular Age? Can Your Arteries Be Older Than You Are?
Your age tells you how many years you have lived. But does it tell you how well your blood vessels are functioning? Not always. Blood vessels gradually change with age, and factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking and abnormal cholesterol levels may contribute to earlier vascular ageing. This means a person’s arteries may show signs of ageing earlier than expected for their chronological age. Understanding vascular age can add another perspective to cardiovascular health. Two measurements that help assess different aspects of vascular health are the Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI) and Pulse Wave Velocity (PWV). What Is Vascular Age? Vascular age is an estimate of how the condition or measured characteristics of your blood vessels compare with those typically seen at different ages. Depending on the method used, it may reflect arterial stiffness, blood pressure-related measurements or other vascular parameters. For example, a 40-year-old with long-standing hypertension may show signs of increased arterial stiffness. Meanwhile, another person of the same age may have more elastic arteries. Vascular age is not a single universal measurement. Different devices and assessment methods may calculate it differently, so the result should be interpreted alongside medical history, blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar and other cardiovascular risk factors. Indian research has also examined vascular ageing and arterial stiffness in people with hypertension, diabetes and other cardiovascular risk factors. What Is the Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI)? The Ankle-Brachial Index is a simple, non-invasive test that compares blood pressure measured at the ankle with blood pressure measured at the arm. Why does this matter? Blood pressure reaching the ankles can be lower than expected when arteries supplying the legs become narrowed or obstructed. ABI can help doctors evaluate peripheral artery disease (PAD), a condition in which narrowed arteries reduce blood flow to the limbs. It may be considered for people with symptoms such as leg discomfort while walking, reduced circulation or wounds that do not heal properly, as well as selected individuals at increased risk. India’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare includes ABI in its standard treatment guidance for peripheral arterial disease. ABI is not a general-purpose test for everyone, and certain conditions, including diabetes and chronic kidney disease, can make its interpretation more difficult. A clinician should interpret the result in context. What Is Pulse Wave Velocity (PWV)? Every time your heart beats, it creates a pressure wave that travels through your arteries. Pulse Wave Velocity measures how quickly that wave moves between measurement points. Think of a flexible water pipe compared with a rigid one. A pressure wave generally travels faster through a stiffer pipe. Similarly, a higher PWV can indicate increased arterial stiffness. Arterial stiffness is associated with ageing and cardiovascular risk factors, including high blood pressure and diabetes. Indian studies have investigated PWV and related measures of arterial stiffness in different populations, including people with hypertension and apparently healthy adults. However, PWV results can be affected by factors such as blood pressure, measurement technique and the device used. There is no single cutoff that should be applied without considering the specific method and clinical context. ABI vs PWV: What Is the Difference? Although both tests relate to vascular health, they assess different things. Neither test alone provides a complete picture of cardiovascular health. Their usefulness depends on the person’s symptoms, risk factors and the clinical question being investigated. Who Should Discuss Vascular Assessment With a Doctor? A doctor may consider further vascular assessment for people with: These factors do not automatically mean that ABI or PWV testing is required. The choice depends on clinical evaluation, and routine testing of people without symptoms or increased risk may not be appropriate in every case. Can You Improve Your Vascular Health? Although ageing itself cannot be reversed, managing cardiovascular risk factors can help protect blood vessels. Useful steps include maintaining healthy blood pressure and blood sugar levels, following a balanced diet, staying physically active, avoiding tobacco and taking prescribed medicines as directed. Regular medical follow-up can help identify risk factors that need attention. A vascular age result should be treated as one piece of information—not as a diagnosis or a prediction of exactly when a cardiovascular event might occur. How Jalaram Diagnostics Can Help Jalaram Diagnostics, Bardoli, supports informed healthcare decisions through diagnostic testing and preventive-health assessment. If you are concerned about your cardiovascular risk, discuss your blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol and family history with your doctor. Depending on your clinical needs, your doctor may recommend specific investigations to assess vascular health. Understanding which tests are appropriate—and what their results can and cannot tell you—helps make preventive healthcare more meaningful. Book your test / appointment now on +91 84 1980 1980 Frequently Asked Questions 1. Can vascular age be higher than actual age? Yes. Some measurements may suggest greater arterial stiffness or less favourable vascular characteristics than expected for a person’s chronological age. The meaning depends on the method used. 2. Are ABI and PWV the same test? No. ABI compares blood pressure at the ankle and arm to help evaluate circulation in the legs. PWV measures how quickly a pressure wave travels through the arteries and is used to assess arterial stiffness. 3. Should everyone get a vascular age test? No. These assessments are not necessary for everyone. A healthcare professional can determine whether a particular vascular test is appropriate based on symptoms, medical history and cardiovascular risk factors.