Measuring vascular age
Carotid and femoral intima-media thickness (CIMT and FIMT) testing uses duplex ultrasound to measure the thickness of the first two layers of the artery wall — the place where plaque first develops.
It detects hardening of the arteries at a very early stage, before it causes symptoms or restricts blood flow, and gives a more direct measure than ankle pressures or velocity measurements alone. The American Heart Association recognises CIMT as a reliable means of assessing early vascular disease.
Turning the result into a plan
We combine your CIMT result with your other risk factors to build a personalised cardiovascular action plan covering blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, weight, activity and tobacco.
Many people who go on to have a heart attack or stroke have normal cholesterol and no other obvious warning. Measuring the artery wall itself finds the risk that blood tests miss.
Who benefits most
- Family history of heart disease, stroke or peripheral vascular disease
- Overweight or physically inactive
- Current or former tobacco user
- High blood pressure
- High LDL or low HDL cholesterol, or raised triglycerides
- Metabolic syndrome or diabetes
