The Effect of Short-Term Breath Holding on Pulse Wave Velocity and Vascular Stiffness

Abstract

Using noninvasive piezopulsometry, the dynamic structure of the arterial pressure waveform was studied upon exposure of the human cardiovascular system to short-term hypoxia. A strained breath-hold (SBH) after deep inspiration was used to induce short-term hypoxia. The pulse wave velocity (PWV) was reduced by 8% during a SBH. The arterial stiffness was observed to significantly decrease during a SBH.