Frequency analysis of the peripheral pulse wave detected in the finger with a photoplethysmograph

A photoelectric plethysmograph that performs a frequency analysis of the peripheral volume pulse wave using a portable computer is described. It was used to determine how the pulse shape varied with age using 54 subjects in three age groups: 10-29, 30-59, and 60-89 years. The youngest group had a larger power in the second harmonic (normalized to the fundamental), with p<0.05, than the older two groups. The decrease of power in the harmonics of the peripheral pulse wave with age may be a useful noninvasive measure of aging and vascular disease.<
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