pulse wave velocity

Pulse wave velocity (PWV) is a measure of how fast blood pressure waves move through your arteries. When your heart pumps, it creates a wave that travels along your blood vessels. The speed of this wave tells us about the stiffness of your arteries; the stiffer the arteries, the faster the wave travels. Healthy, flexible arteries slow down this wave, while stiff arteries speed it up. PWV is an important indicator of cardiovascular health because increased stiffness can be associated with aging and higher risk of heart disease and stroke.