<unk>  is a noninvasive measure of blood vessel health (endothelial dysfunction) which (when low) is at least as predictive of cardiovascular disease as traditional risk factors. Major cardiovascular disease associated with low<unk>  include cardiac death, myocardial infarction, and stroke. Low<unk>  is a stronger predictor of future cardiovascular disease events in patients with existing cardiovascular disease than in healthy normal persons.<unk>  is a sensitive marker for the amount of blood vessel damage caused by cigarette smoke. So-called light cigarettes (having reduced tar and nicotine) were shown to impair<unk>  as much as regular cigarettes. Improved<unk>  results in greater perfusion and oxygen supply to peripheral tissue. An Israeli study of 618 healthy subjects found<unk>  to be an excellent predictor of long-term adverse cardiovascular events. Participants with below-mean<unk>  were 278% more likely to experience cardiovascular events during the 4.6 year average follow-up period than participant with above-mean<unk>  (95% Confidence Interval: 135-571%, p-value<0.001). The clinical value of<unk>  is limited by the fact that<unk>  is difficult to measure, requiring a skilled and well-trained clinician.
Flow-mediated dilation
Retrograde perfusion
Pressure reactivity index
Critical closing pressure
Myogenic tone
Vagal tone
Vascular resistance
Arterial input function