What is endothelial dysfunction?
Endothelial cells are cells that line the inside of blood vessels. When healthy, these extend and contract according to requirement. Endothelial dysfunction is where these cells lose this flexibility. Research has concluded that endothelial dysfunction is related to the reduction of nitric oxide (NO) in blood vessel walls. Amino acid and L-arginine is metabolised locally due to its very short half-life and helps regulate vascular tone.
Deficiency of nitric oxide leads to excessive constriction of blood vessels which produces hypertension and activation of platelets leading to blood clots.
Endothelial dysfunction is one of the leading complications of type 2 diabetes. With successful identification of endothelial dysfunction, treatments can be provided and the issues reversed. However, it can lead to atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease if not diagnosed and treated in time. As endothelial dysfunction gets worse it leads to blood vessel wall damage which allows for excessive build-up of cholesterol and agglomerated blood cells that could cause clots and strokes. In addition to these other medical concerns from stiffening blood vessels may include; erectile disfunction, kidney disease, peripheral vascular disease, heart attack and stroke.
Traditionally the process of diagnosis has been invasive, costly and therefore many sufferers were undiagnosed. However, currently due to advances in research new testing methods that do not require invasive assessment to be conducted have been developed.
Testing for endothelial dysfunction
Magnetic blood pulse measurement is one non-invasive method that can be used to identify endothelial dysfunction. An external device that picks up on magnetic field changes analyse the relative flow of blood cells as they have iron content that changes the field flux. If the blood vessel is healthy when blood cells enter the field they will group and promote the vessel to expand to accommodate the agglomeration of cells. If endothelial dysfunction has made the lumen or vessel diameter a fixed then flow is reduced and this behaviour is visibly different when plotted and compared to healthy blood flow in that scenario.
While this is one way to assess endothelial dysfunction, another method is an image-based study where dye is added to the circulatory system and restrictions calculated visually using a sonograph. This is very invasive and time consuming to conduct and costly due to the equipment and staff needed to run it and assess the results.
A better way has been developed that tops both of these methods, measuring changes in blood flow in a patient’s fingertip. Specifically, it conducts pulsative tests and assesses blood volume and peripheral arterial tone which measures the overall health of the entire endothelium (blood vessel lining).
Results are automatically calculated and provided within 15 minutes. The equipment is not large and bulky like magnetic blood pulse measurement and non-invasive. Furthermore, it does not require specialist staff to interpretate results or run the equipment. The excellent thing about this is the size and cost of the unit means you could have one stored in a draw for anyone considered at risk and who needs to monitor their condition after initial diagnosis.
For example, if you have been diagnosed with the condition and now are trying to reverse it through healthy exercise and treatments; wouldn’t it be good to monitor your progress. Currently no other technology gives you this in a small and accessible form factor.
If you think you have endothelial dysfunction make sure to consult a qualified health care professional that can help advise you of the best course of action. For more information on the endothelial dysfunction test please click here
