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Tests of functional and structural properties of arteries are becoming clinically more and more relevant. Numerous non-invasive methods for assessing endothelial function and arterial stiffness have been developed, many of which are useful not only for research purposes but also in everyday clinical practice. In this paper we describe four methods which we believe are currently the most useful and most widely used. For each method we present the measurement procedure, its advantages and disadvantages and clinical implications. Endothelial function can be assessed by flow-mediated dilatation and peripheral arterial tonometry while arterial stiffness is assessed by pulse wave velocity and stiffness parameter beta. When treating an individual patient, it would be best to combine all available methods because each of them measures a different aspect of vascular physiology. Based on these measurements, it would be possible to calculate cardiovascular
risk more accurately, individualize treatment and directly monitor its efficacy through the course of time. Even though these methods are not yet part of clinical guidelines, they may be included in the future when better standardization is achieved. It is important to stress that it is only possible to assess and use the results correctly when the researcher possesses adequate clinical knowledge of the aformentioned field. We recommend that examinations are performed by a well trained and educated physician.