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

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

Sakamoto et al., 2026, American Journal of Physiology-Heart and Circulatory Physiology — Physiology

Patterns: [Distinctions](https://dsrpevidence.org/pattern/distinctions), [Relationships](https://dsrpevidence.org/pattern/relationships)

## 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.

## 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.

These researchers were not testing DSRP. The finding is theirs; the correspondence to DSRP is drawn by this site.

[Source](https://doi.org/10.1152/ajpheart.00488.2026)