Close correlations between carotid arterial mean blood flow velocity, body mass index, and temperature in normal individuals

Abstract

Objective: Assessing carotid and radial pulses is an essential sphygmology method in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). It is believed in TCM and by doctors that pulse force is markedly linked with the physiological state of a human, including body mass index (BMI) and temperature. However, comprehensive analysis elucidating these potential correlations remains undetermined. Therefore, this investigation aimed to assess the association of pulse strength with human metabolism. Materials and Methods: The mean blood flow velocity (MBFV) of the carotid artery and pulse force of 122 healthy adults included in this investigation were assessed using ultrasound and manual palpation. Their thermal texture map was also acquired. Results: No substantial variation was observed in the carotid arterial MBFV among normal individuals (P > 0.05) regardless of body side and gender. However, young individuals had higher blood velocity than middle-aged individuals (P < 0.05). Furthermore, it was identified that MBFV was negatively associated with BMI and torso temperature; however, it was positively linked with hand temperature. Conclusions: This investigation revealed that carotid arterial MBFV could indicate the physical state of humans, including BMI and temperature, and therefore, is valuable for elucidating the effect of TCM on yin–yang. The data validated some TCM beliefs and supported the implementation of sphygmology in TCM.

Keywords

• body mass index
• carotid artery
• mean blood flow velocity
• sphygmology
• temperature
• traditional chinese medicine