Cardiex XCel

How does the Cardiex XCel work?

For best results, patients are asked to rest for around 5 minutes with their feet flat on the floor. The appropriately sized blood pressure cuff is placed just above the elbow. The machine is turned on and its software signals the machine to blow up the blood pressure cuff. The software then is able to compute both central and peripheral blood pressures. The results are immediately for patient review in a 6 page report discussing each of the parameters measured and compared to a cohort based on age and gender. The process is painless and takes less than 2 minutes to complete.

What biomarkers does the Cardiex XCel measure and what do they mean for our overall cardiovascular health?

1. Heart rate.
2. Brachial blood pressure-measurement of the pressure of blood at the brachial artery in the arm. This is an important basic biomarker that, if elevated, is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke.
3. Central blood pressure-Blood pressure at the root of the aorta. Central blood pressure reflects key vascular issues such as arterial stiffness and can be one of the first subclinical indicators of cardiovascular disease.
4. Augmentation index-This is an indirect measure of arterial stiffness that increases with age. It reflects the burden stiff arteries place on the heart. Stiff arteries reflect blood back to the heart faster. Stiff arteries cause stress on the heart and can lead to failure and heart enlargement.
5. Augmentation pressure-Refers to the increase in central aortic pressure caused by wave reflection, similar to augmentation index.
6. Central pulse pressure-Shows the pressure to which key organs are exposed to such as th brain and kidneys. Control of the central pulse pressures help to reduce end organ damage, reducing the risk for strokes and kidney failure in the future.(1)

Why are these biomarkers important and what can they do for my overall cardiovascular health?

The biomarkers obtained from the use of Cardiex XCel allows better insight into one’s overall cardiovascular health. These biomarkers will allow for tailored therapy if blood pressures are found to be abnormal. If peripheral blood pressures are high yet central blood pressures are within normal limits, this may allow for titration off medications. Cardiex XCel results are reproducible and comparable over time, allowing us to gauge if therapies are helping. The visual display of data allows for engaged conversations about one’s health between the patient and the provider and often potentiates change if warranted. These biomarkers also allow for opportunities to catch subclinical disease such as arterial stiffness, supporting Back in Line’s quest for prevention and early detection of cardiovascular disease.(2)

How can I get my biomarkers checked usind the Cardiex XCel?

Currently, all functional and integrative medicine patients will have biomarkers checked at the beginning of their appointments using the Cardiex XCel. Their report will be uploaded to their chart and used for comparison in subsequent visits. Please visit our website to book your new patient consult or follow up visit if you have been seen previously.

See sample report below