Flex Pulse Plethysmography Specialist

What are pulse oximetry and plethysmography?

Pulse oximetry measures the oxygen level in your blood using a simple device that clips onto a part of your body like a toe or finger. The device rapidly detects changes in oxygen, revealing how efficiently oxygen travels to the extremities furthest from your heart.

Plethysmography measures changes in blood volume by detecting changes in blood flow. This procedure may be performed using sensors placed on various areas of your body, such as your fingers, arms, or legs.

The innovative Max Pulse uses the techniques of pulse oximetry and plethysmography to perform a noninvasive heart and circulatory analysis.

How does the Max Pulse perform flex pulse plethysmography?

The Max Pulse uses a clip that’s placed on your fingertip and uses technology called photoplethysmography to detect blood volume changes at the skin’s surface. As the device measures blood flow at your fingertip, it detects flexible pulses in your heartbeat that occur as blood travels from your heart to your finger.

Healthy arteries have resilient walls that flex as blood flows through your body. This subtle arterial flexion is reflected in small blood flow deviations in your fingertip. Arteries that are hardened and stiff due to atherosclerosis don’t have the same flexibility. As a result, the photoelectric clip won’t detect deviations.

Changes detected in the clip are interpreted by a computer. The final analysis of your flexible pulse wave provides an accurate measure of arterial stiffness and circulation blockages.

Why does the Max Pulse measure heart rate variability?

Heart rate variability (HRV) refers to the variation in time between each heartbeat. This variation is controlled by your autonomic nervous system, which regulates life-sustaining activities like your heart rate, breathing, digestion, and blood pressure.

HRV reflects whether you’re relaxed or under stress. When you’re relaxed, HRV is high, which is a positive sign that you’re healthy and ready to meet the next challenge. If you’re chronically stressed, your HRV is low, a negative sign associated with depression, anxiety, and heart disease.

As the Max Pulse records your HRV, Dr. Vaca gets an accurate measure of your stress level, which he uses to guide your treatment.

Your flex pulse plethysmography can be measured in just three minutes using the Max Pulse, quickly providing an evaluation of your cardiovascular health. To schedule an appointment, call Carlos Vaca, MD, or use the online booking feature.