Early Warning for our Hearts

Endothelix offers a choice of two VENDYS systems, either cart-based or portable. The portable system, which includes a digital thermal monitor, a cuff management monitor, as well as a powerful portable computer, is the more popular one. Endothelix sells it to researchers and medical practices for $9,900.

I told Dr. Yen that I was a bit concerned that the test might indicate that I have a heart problem. After all, I'm 73 years old and have had diabetes for 15 years.

So I was relieved when Dr. Yen finished testing me. "You have a great looking temperature curve here."

My VENDYS Test Results
(Photo by David Panthagani of Endothelix)

 "It dropped down appropriately after the cuff blocked your blood flow," he continued. "And after the cuff was released, the rebound shoots right back up. That's a healthy response. If that curve came down and struggled to come up, that would be a case of poor vascular activity. This is the nuts and bolts of what the test does."

My "vascular reactivity index" of 2.07 was within the good range. But if I had tested in the poor or intermediate range, I would need to be more aggressive with my exercise, Dr. Yen said. In that case, they would need to retest me in two months.

At the end of my visit to Endothelix I met with Morteza Naghavi, M.D., the company's CEO and founder. He says that, according to the literature of hundreds of papers on heart disease, endothelial dysfunction is the most sensitive marker.

"We call it the vascular barometer," Dr. Naghavi said. "It's a barometer of vascular health, and you have a good number, David. Keep doing the good things you are doing for your health."

I plan to keep on exercising and taking control of my diabetes. I hope that you also continue to do the good things you are doing to help prevent heart disease. And while you're at it, you might consider asking your doctor to test your vascular endothelial function.