Physiology of Pulse Waveform

Pulse Waveform of a 25 year old person

For a normal young person, where the arteries are generally compliant, the slow traveling reflected wave from the peripheral occurs during diastole, thus enhancing perfusion of the coronary arteries.

Pulse Waveform of a 80 year old person

With age, the arteries stiffen. Pulse wave velocity increases and the reflected wave now travels faster and gives rise to a “shouldering” at the primary wave, and occurs during systole. This effect prolongs the systolic cycle increasing the workload and oxygen requirement of the heart muscles. The poor notch also compromises the flow of the coronaries