System, apparatus, and method for evaluating vascular endothelial function

An apparatus for evaluating vascular endothelial function, comprising:

• a pulse wave measurement device configured to generate a pulse wave signal based on a measurement result from a pulse wave sensor attached to a site of a user that is farther from a heart of the user than a pressurization site that is pressurized for vascular occlusion, the pulse wave sensor including a light-receiving element that is configured to detect light emitted by a light-emitting element and that passes through biological tissue of the user for the measurement result;
• and
• a control terminal that includes a processor configured to execute instructions on an electronic memory to:
• calculate a peripheral blood pressure index based on a steepness of a rise per beat of the pulse wave signal generated by the pulse wave measurement device,
• evaluate a vascular endothelial function based on a value of the calculated peripheral blood pressure index from a time point of vascular occlusion release until an evaluation duration elapses, and
• output an evaluation result as a display relating to the evaluated vascular endothelial function.

A method for evaluating vascular endothelial function, the method comprising:

• performing vascular occlusion by pressurizing a part of a body of a user and subsequently releasing vascular occlusion;
• acquiring a pulse wave signal based on light, detected by a light-receiving element, that passes through an arteriole or capillary at a site farther from a heart of the user than a pressurized site from a time point of vascular occlusion release until a certain duration elapses;
• obtaining a temporal change in a peripheral blood pressure index based on a steepness of a rise per beat of the acquired pulse wave signal;
• evaluating a vascular endothelial function based on the temporal change in the peripheral blood pressure index;
• and
• generating, by an output, a display relating to the evaluated vascular endothelial function.