Optimal endothelial function is absolutely CRITICAL for cardiovascular health. In fact, endothelial dysfunction precedes cardiovascular disease, hypertension, atherosclerosis, etc by decades.
That means that we can identify problems with the cardiovascular system years earlier if we are able to evaluate endothelial function.
Endothelix is a medical testing device that we use in our Tulsa Functional Medicine clinic which allows us to be very comprehensive with our evaluation of your cardiovascular system.
How do Endothelix test Endothelial Dysfunction?
Endothelix is checking for endothelial dysfunction by measuring what is known as vascular reactivity. The more reactive the blood vessel the better the endothelial function. The Endothelix system uses a standard blood pressure cuff to occlude blood flow through one arm for 2-5 minutes. Finger tip temperature is measured in the affected arm and compared to the other arm (without a blood pressure cuff).
During the occlusion phase of the test, there is a dilative response in the small vessels in the arm with the blood pressure cuff inflated due to a lack of blood flow (ischemia). When the cuff is deflated, blood rushes back into these vessels restoring baseline blood flow plus some (reactive hyperemia). This “overshoot” of blood flow upon release of the cuff results in a shear stress in the larger arteries causing them to dilate so that they can accommodate the increased blood flow.
Endothelix analyzes the finger tip temperature throughout the test. The changes in finger tip temperature are a good surrogate marker for the changes in blood flow described above which tell us about the endothelial dysfunction.
Endothelix Information
As mentioned previously, endothelial dysfunction is paramount to atherosclerosis and cardiovascular health. In fact, endothelial dysfunction is a good barometer of the sum total of all risk factors for cardiovascular health.
The Endothelix device is an FDA cleared device for evaluating endothelial dysfunction and is an extremely important component in a comprehensive assessment of the cardiovascular system. You simply cannot evaluate the cardiovascular system from a preventive perspective without evaluating endothelial dysfunction.
The Endothelix device reports what is referred to as the Vascular Reactivity Index or adjusted Temperature Recovery Index (aTR). It has been used in research trials over the last 6 years and has dozens of peer reviewed abstracts and papers.
With more than 6 years of research trials and dozens of peer reviewed papers and abstracts, VENDYS is now in use in clinics across the US being used as a cutting edge tool for the prevention of adverse CVD outcomes.
The Endothelix Report for Endothelial Dysfunction
The Endothelix test takes about 15 minutes to perform.
Step 1: the baseline temperature of both fingers is established
Step 2: The blood-pressure cuff inflates and the temperature of the test finger begins to drop
Step 3: the cuff deflates, blood flow increases above baseline (at least it does with good endothelial function), and temperature rebounds.
This graph shows the temperature of the test finger tip (red line) return to normal after the blood pressure cuff is deflated.
How to prepare for the Endothelix test:
There are a few things you need to do prior to have the Endothelix test performed.
- Rest for at least 6 hours before the test
- Do not exercise for 6 hours before the test
- Be tested in a quiet, temperature-controlled room (we’ll take care of this one for you)
- Withhold all vasoactive medications for at least 4 half-lives
- Do not ingest substances that might affect vascular reactivity such as caffeine, high-fat foods, and Vitamin C or use tobacco for at least 4-6 hours before the test.
