Fig. 5
From: Arterial stiffness and vascular aging: mechanisms, prevention, and therapy
a Pulse wave analysis in a compliant versus a stiff arterial system. A compliant aorta is characterized by sufficient Windkessel function and dampened pulsatility. In contrast, a stiff aorta loses its Windkessel function, resulting in high pulsatility toward the periphery and a wave back unfavorably augmenting the central systolic pressure (augmentation pressure). b Pulse wave analysis of the carotid artery. The pressure decay during diastole can be approximated by the product of peripheral resistance (R) and arterial compliance c.59 c The first graph (I) depicts the proteins carrying the load at a certain pressure condition. Under hypertensive circumstances, collagen bears the load, so the vessel is not able to expand significantly, whereas under low pressure, elastin enables sufficient stretching qualities. The second graph (II) depicts distensibility properties in addition to the pulse wave velocity (PWV). Both curves function in a nonlinear and nonproportional manner, suggesting that hypertension leads to increased arterial stiffness61. Created with BioRender.com
