pulse (physiology) - Common pulse points

A pressure wave generated by the ejection of blood from the left ventricle into the vascular system. The number of pulsations per minute reflects heart rate, which in humans is between 70 and 90 at rest (exercise, anger, and fever increase pulse rate, whereas depression lowers it). The alternate expansion and recoil of arteries lying near to the body surface can readily be felt (and sometimes seen) as a throbbing. The pulse rate is commonly taken by placing the finger tips on the inside of the forearm just above the wrist (the radial pulse).

In medicine, a person's pulse is the throbbing of their arteries as an effect of the heart beat. The pressure pulse is transmitted 15 or more times more rapidly than the blood flow. In most people, the pulse is an accurate measure of heart rate. The pulse is irregular and the heart rate can be (much) higher than the pulse rate. In this case, the heart rate should be determined by auscultation of the heart apex, in which case it is not the pulse. The pulse deficit (difference between heart beats and pulsations at the periphery) should be determined by simultaneous palpation at the radial artery and auscultation at the heart apex.

A normal pulse rate for a healthy adult, while resting, can range from 60 to 100 beats per minute (BPM). Generally, pulse rates are higher in younger persons. A resting heart rate for an infant is as high as or higher than an adult's pulse rate during strenuous exercise.

Besides its rate, the pulse has other qualities which reflect the state of the cardiovascular system, such as its rhythm, fullness and the shape of the pulse wave. absent or decreased pulses in the limbs may indicate peripheral artery occlusive disease.

Pulses are manually palpated with fingers or thumb. When palpating the carotid artery, the femoral artery or the brachial artery, the thumb may be used. However, the thumb has its own pulse which can interfere with detecting the patient's pulse at other points, where two or three fingers should be used. Fingers or thumb must be placed near an artery and pressed gently against a firm structure, usually a bone, in order to feel the pulse.

An alternative way of finding pulse rate is by listening to the heartbeat.

Common pulse points

radial pulse - located on the thumb side of the wrist (radial artery) ulnar pulse - located on the little finger side of the wrist (ulnar artery) carotid pulse - located in the neck (carotid artery). frequently used in place of carotid pulse in infants (brachial artery) femoral pulse - located in the thigh (femoral artery) popliteal pulse - located behind the knee in the popliteal fossa, found by holding the bent knee. dorsalis pedis pulse - located on top of the foot (dorsalis pedis artery) tibialis posterior pulse - located in the back of the ankle behind the medial malleolus (posterior tibial artery). temporal pulse - located on the temple directly in front of the ear (temporal artery)

The ease of palpability of a pulse is dictated by the patient's blood pressure. If his or her systolic blood pressure is below 90 mmHg, the radial pulse will not be palpable. Since systolic blood pressure rarely drops that low, the lack of a carotid pulse usually indicates death. It is not unheard of, however, for patients with certain injuries, illnesses or other medical problems to be conscious and aware with no palpable pulse.

Attributes of Pulse measurement.

Include the rate or frequency of the pulse and its rhythm including its regularity and quality expressed as volume or strength