The CONNEQT Pulse is more than just a blood pressure monitor; it’s a comprehensive health tool designed to give you deeper insights into your cardiovascular health. By tracking critical metrics, such as central blood pressure, arterial stiffness, and heart rate, the CONNEQT Pulse empowers you to take proactive steps toward better heart health. In this guide, we’ll break down the key metrics this advanced device tracks and explain why they matter for your overall well-being.

Brachial Blood Pressure

Central Blood Pressure (CBP)

What is Central Blood Pressure?

Central Blood Pressure refers to the systolic pressure in the aorta (the main artery where blood is pumped into directly from the heart). Central Blood Pressure is the maximum pressure the heart and major organs face and differs from the measured brachial systolic pressure at the arm by up to 40 mmHg.

Why it Matters

Measuring Central Blood Pressure in conjunction with Brachial Blood Pressure gives a more complete picture of arterial health and heart health.

Heart Rate

What is Heart Rate?

Heart Rate is the number of heart beats (or contractions) per minute. The CONNEQT Pulse offers users accurate heart rate measurements similar to heart rate measured from an electrocardiogram.

Why it Matters

Monitoring heart rate is an important measure for assessing the cardiovascular system. Heart rate assessments should be similar to the heart rate measured by standard medical electrocardiogram. 

Central Pulse Pressure

What is Central Pulse Pressure?

Central Pulse Pressure is the difference between central systolic and diastolic pressures.

Why it Matters

The higher the Central Pulse Pressure, the greater the load on the heart and the blood pulse impact on major organs like the heart, brain, and kidney. Elevated Central Pulse Pressure can be used to assess the risk for damage to major organs in your body.

Augmentation Pressure (AP)

What is Augmentation Pressure?

Augmentation Pressure refers to the increase in central aortic blood pressure after its initial peak in systole. The increase is caused by pressure wave reflection where the pressure reflected back from branching points in the arteries comes back to the heart. An increase in Augmentation Pressure is due to the reflected pressure returning more rapidly due to hardened (stiffened) arteries. An increased Augmentation Pressure is indicative of an extra load and strain on the heart.

The CONNEQT Pulse separately measures both Augmentation Pressure and Augmentation Index. Augmentation Pressure measures the absolute increase in pressure and arterial stiffness due to wave reflections. Augmentation Index normalizes this value relative to overall blood pressure and heart rate, offering a standardized metric for comparison. Taken together, Augmentation Pressure and Augmentation Index are measures of arterial stiffness that enhance the prediction of cardiovascular risk.

Why it Matters

Major arteries act as a cushion to absorb continuous heart pumping. As you age, these arteries become stiffer, which instead of absorbing the pressure during systole, the pressure is reflected back thereby increasing blood pressures and negatively impacting important body organs including the heart. Several diseases can cause your arteries to stiffen early in life. A marker of arterial stiffness, elevated Augmentation Pressure is associated with the presence of, and risk of developing cardiovascular disease.

Augmentation Index (AIx)

What is Augmentation Index?

Augmentation Index assesses the increased pressure relative to the central pulse pressure (the difference between systolic and diastolic pressures). Augmentation Index is an indirect measure of arterial stiffness. It increases with age and reflects the increased load on the heart due to stiffening arteries.  

The CONNEQT Pulse separately measures both Augmentation Index and Augmentation Pressure. Augmentation Pressure measures the absolute increase in pressure and arterial stiffness due to wave reflections. Augmentation Index normalizes this value relative to overall blood pressure and heart rate, offering a standardized metric for comparison. Taken together, Augmentation Pressure and Augmentation Index are measures of arterial stiffness that enhance the prediction of cardiovascular risk.

Why it Matters

Increased pressure on the heart forces it to work harder. Augmentation Index provides an assessment of the relative increase in pressure on the heart that may be due to arterial stiffness and can help evaluate the risk for cardiovascular disease. Augmentation Index can also be used to monitor the long-term stress on the heart and the cardiovascular system, which can contribute to thickening of the heart muscle and/or the development of heart failure.

SEVR (Subendocardial Viability Ratio)

What is SEVR?

Subendocardial viability ratio (SEVR) is an index of the oxygen supply to the inner heart muscle (endocardium). It is a reflection of the amount of blood that flows to the inner heart muscle.

Why it Matters

Understanding this number is especially important for those with cardiovascular disease who have an increased risk of not having enough oxygenated blood to meet the body’s demands. In the presence of heart disease, this measurement can help in assessing risk of problems when the need for increased oxygen supply is high (e.g., exercise) and is particularly important to the heart, brain and kidneys.