Arterial Stiffness Index (ASI) Screening

Arterial StiffnessArteries are responsible for moving the majority of blood through the body. It is important to know how flexible the arteries are because stiffer arteries have been shown to correlate strongly with the presence of coronary artery disease. The stiffer the arteries, the harder the heart has to work and the more long term damage it will sustain.

The Arterial Stiffness Index (ASI) is a value that correlates with arteriosclerosis or “hardening of the arteries”. The ASI can be viewed as another cardiovascular “risk factor”, just like high blood pressure or elevated cholesterol levels.

The ASI screening is a simple, painless, and non-invasive way to determine the level of stiffness in the arteries. A pressure cuff is placed around the arm and is then inflated.  Specialized computer software then calculates the arterial stiffness as the cuff is deflated and an ASI score is generated.