The prominent "x" and "y" descents demonstrated in this graphic are typically seen in constrictive pericarditis, restrictive myocardial disease and occasionally pericardial tamponade and are, in part, related to the high venous pressure seen in these conditions.

Another helpful clue to these disorders is that the jugular venous pressure may actually rise or fail to show the normal decline during inspiration, so-called Kussmaul's sign.