[DSRP Evidence](https://dsrpevidence.org/)

# Preserved diastolic carotid blood flow is associated with higher diastolic aortic pressure in lifelong female pearl divers

## Details

**Authors** Sakamoto et al.

**Year** 2026

**Publisher** American Journal of Physiology-Heart and Circulatory Physiology

**Discipline** Physiology

[Read it at the publisher](https://doi.org/10.1152/ajpheart.00488.2026) 
10.1152/ajpheart.00488.2026

## In authors' words

### What they found (results)

In 61 lifelong Japanese female pearl divers ('Ama') versus 94 female non-divers, divers showed significantly higher diastolic aortic pressure-time integral and greater diastolic carotid blood flow volume (both P<0.01), consistent with lower central arterial stiffness enhancing diastolic perfusion.

## Commentary

### In short

Comparing a group defined by lifelong extreme exposure against controls reveals a causal chain in which lower arterial stiffness mediates preserved diastolic blood flow — a relationship visible only once the groups are distinguished.

**Patterns it shows** D, R

**Added** 2026-08-22

**How to cite this** Sakamoto et al. (2026). Preserved diastolic carotid blood flow is associated with higher diastolic aortic pressure in lifelong female pearl divers. American Journal of Physiology-Heart and Circulatory Physiology.