Doppler-shifted ultrasound and spectral analysis were used to assess signals from augmented supraorbital and superficial temporal pulses, and the common carotid pulse 4 cm above the base of the neck of 658 (270 male, 388 female) asymptomatic subjects aged 5–90 years. The sonagrams obtained showed two peaks (A and B) during cardiac systole and the ratio of these peaks (A/B) decreased between the ages of 20 and 50 years, and then levelled out. Mean male values of common carotid sonagrams were significantly higher than female values during this age range (p < 0.001