What Is Pulse Volume Recording and What Conditions Can it Diagnose?

At Bridgewater Primary Care & Cardiology, we use a wide range of diagnostic tools to better understand your cardiovascular health. One of these tests is called pulse volume recording (PVR). It’s a safe, painless, and noninvasive way to measure blood flow in your legs and identify potential circulation problems. 

Read on to learn more about the PVR test and why we might recommend it for you.

What is pulse volume recording?

During pulse volume recording, we use blood pressure cuffs and place sensitive sensors on different parts of your legs (and sometimes the arms) to measure changes in blood volume with each heartbeat. 

As your heart pumps blood, the cuffs detect and record these volume changes, producing data that reflects how well blood moves through your arteries.

The test is quick, comfortable, and does not require needles, anesthesia, or numbing products. We often perform it in combination with an ankle-brachial index (ABI) test, which compares blood pressure in your ankles to your arms to further assess blood flow.

What conditions can PVR diagnose?

PVR testing is an important tool for identifying conditions related to circulation, including:

Peripheral artery disease (PAD)

Peripheral artery disease describes narrowing of the arteries in the legs that reduces blood flow. Early detection is critical to preventing complications like pain, wounds that don’t heal, or increased risk of heart attack and stroke.

Arterial blockages or narrowing

PVR helps determine if blockages are present and where they might be located.

Chronic limb ischemia

Chronic limb ischemia means you have reduced blood flow to your legs and feet that can cause severe pain, skin changes, or tissue damage.

Who should have a PVR test?

Poor circulation in your legs is uncomfortable, and it can be a warning sign of more serious cardiovascular disease. Detecting these issues early enables us to create a treatment plan to improve your health, reduce symptoms, and prevent future complications.

We may recommend PVR testing if you experience:

• Leg pain when walking – medically known as claudication
• Numbness, tingling, or weakness in your legs
• Cold feet or legs compared with the rest of your body
• Sores on your legs or feet that are slow to heal
• Risk factors such as smoking, diabetes, high cholesterol, or high blood pressure

We also use PVR to evaluate circulation before procedures like bypass surgery or to check blood flow afterward.

At Bridgewater Primary Care & Cardiology, we help you take charge of your vascular and heart health. Call our office or use our online tool to schedule an appointment today at our West Bridgewater, Massachusetts, practice. We’re here to help if you have peripheral artery disease, another circulation issue, or a chronic disease.