01
Vascular system status / level 1–7
A summary classification of the dominant pulse-wave shape on the device scale.
Level 1 is the most favourable report category. A repeated trend under similar conditions matters more than one number.
Results guideVascular analysis (APG)
Premium measurement · MaxPulse
MaxPulse vascular analysis (PPG/APG): reading the pulse wave and scores
A finger sensor optically tracks changes in blood volume with each heartbeat. MaxPulse uses pulse-wave shape to build a screening vascular profile and proprietary scores. The result is most useful as a standardised snapshot and trend — it is not a direct measurement of the vessel lumen or a diagnosis of atherosclerosis.
Measurement principle
What the measurement actually captures
Photoplethysmography (PPG) uses light and a sensor on the finger. It records changes in peripheral blood volume with each beat. APG is a mathematically derived, accelerated form of the waveform that emphasises its components for morphological analysis.
The signal shape reflects a combination of cardiac ejection, blood pressure, large- and small-vessel properties, local vascular tone and conditions in the finger. One finger signal therefore cannot separately and directly “measure large and small arteries”. AE and PE are names and proprietary scores from the current MaxPulse software.
Visual guide
From a finger pulse to a screening vascular profile
This visual explains the principle; it is not a client recording. The algorithm analyses the shape of a series of beats, not one point on a curve.
From light in the finger to an APG waveform
LED + sensor
PPG · optical signal
APG · second derivative
How the dominant vessel level is formed
The algorithm assigns each analysed beat to one of the device-defined categories.
1 · Excellent6 %
2 · Good68 %
3 · Less favourable17 %
4 · Warning9 %
5 · Poor0 %
6 · Very poor0 %
7 · Very poor0 %
Fields in the portal and report
What the result fields mean
Read them together. The categories and scores belong to the algorithm and software version, not to a universal clinical unit.
02
Distribution across vessel levels
The proportion of analysed beats assigned by the algorithm to each level.
It shows whether the recording is concentrated in one band or spread out. Dispersion can be biological or technical.
03
AE / BPA – arterial score
A proprietary score described by the current software as arterial elasticity.
In the current report version, a higher score maps to a more favourable category. It is not pulse-wave velocity, blood pressure or a direct measure of aortic stiffness.
04
PE / DPA – peripheral score
A proprietary score associated with the peripheral component of the finger pulse wave.
In the current report version, a higher score maps to a more favourable category. It is sensitive to finger perfusion and temperature.
05
Mean heart rate
The average heart rate during the short APG recording.
It provides measurement context; it is not a substitute for a consistently tracked resting heart rate.
Practical interpretation
How to read the result without shortcuts
- 01
Start with signal quality
Check that you were resting, the finger was warm, sensor contact was stable and the result is not scattered across many levels.
- 02
Then read the whole, not one score
Combine the overall level, distribution, AE, PE and heart rate. A single less favourable item cannot identify its cause.
- 03
Finish with the trend
Compare visits at a similar time of day and after similar settling. A repeated shift is more informative than a one-off fluctuation.
What can shift the result short term
- cold fingers or reduced peripheral perfusion
- movement, talking or poor sensor contact
- recent exercise, caffeine, nicotine or acute stress
- room temperature, hand position, hydration and current blood pressure
What an APG result cannot establish
- it neither confirms nor rules out atherosclerosis, stenosis or other vascular disease
- it does not replace cuff blood pressure, ECG, laboratory testing or vascular imaging
- AE and PE are not universal physiological units transferable between devices
- one unfavourable result does not establish a cause or treatment
When screening is not enough
Chest pain, sudden shortness of breath, fainting, stroke symptoms, or new severe pain or coldness in a limb require urgent medical assessment. A repeatedly unfavourable trend without acute symptoms is a reason to discuss risk factors and appropriate confirmatory assessment with a clinician.
Evidence and references
Sources and limits of evidence
Photoplethysmography and its application in clinical physiological measurement
Physiological Measurement · 2007
A review of the PPG principle, signal formation and factors that affect waveform shape and quality.
Assessing hemodynamics from the photoplethysmogram to gain insights into vascular age
American Journal of Physiology – Heart and Circulatory Physiology · 2022
A current review of PPG waveform determinants, reproducibility and limitations in estimating vascular ageing.
American Journal of Hypertension · 2000
A comparison with pulse-wave velocity that supports cautious use as an adjunct, not as a replacement reference method.
Aging index using photoplethysmography for a healthcare device
Sensors · 2015
A study of associations between a PPG ageing index, age and brachial-ankle pulse-wave velocity.
Recommendations for improving and standardizing vascular research on arterial stiffness
American Heart Association · 2015
Defines reference approaches to arterial stiffness and why finger APG does not replace carotid-femoral pulse-wave velocity.
MaxPulse Reading Guide and Operator Manual
MEDICORE · supplier documentation
The source for the names, proprietary scores and fields in the current report; it is not independent clinical validation.
Related reading
Continue with the question you have
How to read your Max Pulse result: field by fieldA practical guide to the Max Pulse report: wave type, arterial and peripheral elasticity, stress score, ANS activity and balance, and what each value means in plain language.Read article →Vascular elasticity and the pulse wave: what photoplethysmography (APG) measuresHow the pulse wave forms, why vessels stiffen with age and lifestyle, what the wave types mean and how arterial elasticity relates to atherosclerosis prevention.Read article →Max Pulse vs a blood pressure monitor: what is the difference?What the BPBIO750 gives you, what Max Pulse adds, where they overlap a little and why they should not be treated as interchangeable devices.Read article →
Premium
MaxPulse is one part of the complete Premium measurement.
The client portal presents vascular and stress screening together with InBody, blood pressure and grip strength so that the visit reads as one whole.