Abstract: A step rate optimization device (12). The device includes a timer, a pedometer, an arterial waveform sensor (24), a processor and an indicator (16). The device indicates to the user (10) of a substantially sub-optimal relationship between the user's pulse rate and stride rate when the user's dominant stride rate frequency is at about 2-3 Hz and has a larger amplitude than the component of the user's dominant pulse waveform frequency at about 4-7 Hz and of a substantially optimal relationship between the user's pulse rate and stride rate when the user's dominant stride rate frequency component is at about 4-7 Hz and has a larger amplitude than the component of the user's dominant pulse waveform frequency at about 2-3 Hz.

Abstract: A method of determining ageing effect and cardiovascular risk in a human patient comprising: - (i) measuring the arterial pulse waveform of the patient when the heart is beating regularly, (ii) extracting the frequency dependent components of the pulse waveform, (iii) determining the ratio of the amplitude based value of the first harmonic (H1) to the amplitude based value of a selected higher harmonic to provide an index of arterial ageing, and (iv) Comparing the index to normative values of index of arterial ageing to determine ageing effect and cardiovascular risk. Other methods of calculating the index based on harmonic amplitudes and the phase angle are also disclosed and claimed.

Abstract: A method of treating a stiffened blood vessel (2) is disclosed. The method comprises at least substantially encasing a portion of the blood vessel (2) with an elastic membrane (6) formed of biocompatible material such the membrane (6) engages the blood vessel (2) to thereby reduce the diameter of the blood vessel (2).