During heart contraction vascular system Another portion of blood is pushed out. Its impact on the wall of the artery creates vibrations, which, spreading through the vessels, gradually fade to the periphery. They are called the pulse.
What is the pulse like?
There are three types of veins and capillaries in the human body. The release of blood from the heart affects each of them in one way or another, causing their walls to vibrate. Of course, arteries, as the vessels closest to the heart, are more susceptible to the influence of cardiac output. Vibrations of their walls are well determined by palpation, and in large vessels they are even noticeable to the naked eye. That is why the arterial pulse is most significant for diagnosis.
Capillaries are the smallest vessels in the human body, but even they affect the work of the heart. Their walls vibrate in time with heart contractions, but normally this can only be determined with the help of special instruments. A capillary pulse visible to the naked eye is a sign of pathology.
The veins are so far away from the heart that their walls do not vibrate. The so-called venous pulse is transmitted vibrations from nearby large arteries.
Why measure your pulse?
What is the significance of fluctuations for diagnosis? vascular walls? Why is this so important?
The pulse makes it possible to judge hemodynamics, how effectively it contracts, the fullness of the vascular bed, and the rhythm of heartbeats.
With many pathological processes the pulse changes, the pulse characteristic no longer corresponds to the norm. This allows us to suspect that not everything is in order in the cardiovascular system.
What parameters determine the pulse? Pulse characteristics
- Rhythm. Normally, the heart contracts at regular intervals, which means the pulse should be rhythmic.
- Frequency. Normally, there are as many pulse waves as there are heart beats per minute.
- Voltage. This indicator depends on the value of systolic blood pressure. The higher it is, the more difficult it is to compress the artery with your fingers, i.e. Pulse tension is high.
- Filling. Depends on the volume of blood ejected by the heart during systole.
- Magnitude. This concept combines filling and tension.
- Shape is another parameter that determines the pulse. Characteristics of pulse in in this case depends on changes in blood pressure in the vessels during systole (contraction) and diastole (relaxation) of the heart.
Rhythm disorders
If there are disturbances in the generation or conduction of impulses through the heart muscle, the rhythm of heart contractions changes, and with it the pulse changes. Individual vibrations of the vascular walls begin to fall out, or appear prematurely, or follow each other at irregular intervals.
What are the types of rhythm disturbances?
Arrhythmias due to changes in the functioning of the sinus node (the area of the myocardium that generates impulses leading to contraction of the heart muscle):
- Sinus tachycardia - increased contraction frequency.
- Sinus bradycardia - decreased contraction frequency.
- Sinus arrhythmia - contractions of the heart at irregular intervals.
Ectopic arrhythmias. Their occurrence becomes possible when a focus appears in the myocardium with activity higher than that of the sinus node. In such a situation, the new pacemaker will suppress the activity of the latter and impose its own rhythm of contractions on the heart.
- Extrasystole - the appearance of an extraordinary cardiac contraction. Depending on the location of the ectopic focus of excitation, extrasystoles are atrial, atrioventricular and ventricular.
- Paroxysmal tachycardia is a sudden increase in heart rate (up to 180-240 heart beats per minute). Like extrasystoles, it can be atrial, atrioventricular and ventricular.
Impaired conduction of impulses through the myocardium (blockade). Depending on the location of the problem that prevents normal progression from the sinus node, blockades are divided into groups:
- (the impulse does not go further than the sinus node).
- (the impulse does not pass from the atria to the ventricles). With complete atrioventricular block ( III degree) a situation becomes possible when there are two pacemakers (the sinus node and the focus of excitation in the ventricles of the heart).
- Intraventricular block.
Separately, we should dwell on the flickering and fluttering of the atria and ventricles. These conditions are also called absolute arrhythmia. In this case, the sinus node ceases to be a pacemaker, and multiple ectopic foci of excitation are formed in the myocardium of the atria or ventricles, setting the heart rhythm with a huge contraction frequency. Naturally, under such conditions the heart muscle is not able to contract adequately. That's why this pathology(especially from the ventricles) poses a threat to life.
Heart rate
The resting heart rate of an adult is 60-80 beats per minute. Of course, this indicator changes throughout life. Pulse varies significantly by age.
There may be a discrepancy between the number of heart contractions and the number of pulse waves. This happens if in vascular bed a small volume of blood is ejected (heart failure, decreased amount of circulating blood). In this case, vibrations of the vessel walls may not occur.
Thus, a person’s pulse (the norm for age is indicated above) is not always determined in the peripheral arteries. This, however, does not mean that the heart does not contract either. Perhaps the reason is a decrease in ejection fraction.
Voltage
Depending on changes in this indicator, the pulse also changes. The characteristics of the pulse according to its voltage include division into the following types:
- Firm pulse. Caused by high blood pressure (BP), primarily systolic. In this case, it is very difficult to squeeze the artery with your fingers. The appearance of this type of pulse indicates the need for urgent correction of blood pressure with antihypertensive drugs.
- Soft pulse. The artery contracts easily, and this is not very good because this type pulse indicates too low blood pressure. It may be due for various reasons: decrease in vascular tone, ineffectiveness of heart contractions.
Filling
Depending on changes in this indicator, the following types of pulse are distinguished:
- means that the blood supply to the arteries is sufficient.
- Empty. Such a pulse occurs when the volume of blood ejected by the heart during systole is small. The causes of this condition may be heart pathology (heart failure, arrhythmias with too high heart rate) or a decrease in blood volume in the body (blood loss, dehydration).
Pulse value
This indicator combines the filling and tension of the pulse. It depends primarily on the expansion of the artery during contraction of the heart and its collapse during relaxation of the myocardium. The following types of pulse are distinguished by size:
- Big (tall). It occurs in a situation where the ejection fraction increases and the tone of the arterial wall is reduced. At the same time, the pressure in systole and diastole is different (during one cycle of the heart it increases sharply, and then decreases significantly). The reasons leading to the occurrence of a high pulse may be aortic insufficiency, thyrotoxicosis, fever.
- Small pulse. Little blood is released into the vascular bed, the tone of the arterial walls is high, and pressure fluctuations in systole and diastole are minimal. Causes this state: aortic stenosis, heart failure, blood loss, shock. In especially severe cases, the pulse value may become insignificant (this pulse is called threadlike).
- Uniform pulse. This is how the normal heart rate is characterized.
Pulse form
According to this parameter, the pulse is divided into two main categories:
- Fast. In this case, during systole, the pressure in the aorta increases significantly, and during diastole it quickly drops. A rapid pulse is a characteristic sign of aortic insufficiency.
- Slow. The opposite situation in which there is no room significant differences pressure in systole and diastole. Such a pulse usually indicates the presence of aortic stenosis.
How to properly examine the pulse?
Probably everyone knows what needs to be done to determine what a person’s pulse is. However, even such a simple manipulation has features that you need to know.
The pulse is examined in the peripheral (radial) and main (carotid) arteries. It is important to know that with weak cardiac output at the periphery, pulse waves may not be detected.
Let's look at how to palpate the pulse in the hand. The radial artery is accessible for examination at the wrist just below the base of the thumb. When determining the pulse, both arteries (left and right) are palpated, because Situations are possible when pulse fluctuations will be different on both hands. This may be due to compression of the vessel from the outside (for example, a tumor) or blockage of its lumen (thrombus, atherosclerotic plaque). After comparison, the pulse is assessed on the arm where it is better palpated. It is important that when examining pulse fluctuations, there is not one finger on the artery, but several (it is most effective to clasp your wrist so that 4 fingers, except the thumb, are on the radial artery).
How is the pulse in the carotid artery determined? If the pulse waves at the periphery are too weak, you can examine the pulse at main vessels. The easiest way is to try to find it on the carotid artery. To do this, two fingers (index and middle) must be placed on the area where the indicated artery is projected (at the anterior edge of the sternocleidomastoid muscle above the Adam's apple). It is important to remember that it is impossible to examine the pulse on both sides at once. Pressing two carotid arteries may cause circulatory problems in the brain.
Pulse at rest and during normal indicators hemodynamics are easily determined both in peripheral and central vessels.
A few words in conclusion
(the age norm must be taken into account during the study) allows us to draw conclusions about the state of hemodynamics. Certain changes in the parameters of pulse oscillations are often characteristic features certain pathological conditions. That is why pulse examination is of great diagnostic importance.
Pulse- jerky vibrations of the walls of blood vessels resulting from the release of blood from the heart into the vascular system. There are arterial, venous and capillary pulses. Of greatest practical importance is the arterial pulse, usually palpable in the wrist or neck.
Pulse measurement. The radial artery in the lower third of the forearm immediately before its articulation with the wrist joint lies superficially and can be easily pressed against radius. The muscles of the hand that determines the pulse should not be tense. Place two fingers on the artery and squeeze it with force until the blood flow completely stops; then the pressure on the artery is gradually reduced, assessing the frequency, rhythm and other properties of the pulse.
In healthy people, the pulse rate corresponds to the heart rate and is 60-90 beats per minute at rest. An increase in heart rate (more than 80 per minute in a lying position and 100 per minute in a standing position) is called tachycardia, a decrease (less than 60 per minute) is called bradycardia. Pulse rate at the right rhythm hearts are determined by counting the number of pulse beats in half a minute and multiplying the result by two; in case of cardiac arrhythmias, the number of pulse beats is counted for a whole minute. With some heart diseases, the pulse rate may be lower than the heart rate - pulse deficiency. In children, the pulse is more frequent than in adults; in girls, it is slightly more frequent than in boys. At night the pulse is lower than during the day. A rare pulse occurs with a number of heart diseases, poisoning, and also under the influence of medications.
Normally, the pulse quickens during physical stress and neuro-emotional reactions. Tachycardia is an adaptive response of the circulatory system to the body’s increased need for oxygen, promoting increased blood supply to organs and tissues. However, the compensatory reaction of a trained heart (for example, in athletes) is expressed in an increase not so much in the pulse rate as in the strength of heart contractions, which is preferable for the body.
Pulse characteristics. Many diseases of the heart, endocrine glands, nervous and mental illness, increased body temperature, poisoning are accompanied by increased heart rate. During palpation examination arterial pulse its characteristics are based on determining the frequency of pulse beats and assessing such pulse qualities as rhythm, filling, tension, height, speed.
Pulse rate determined by counting pulse beats for at least half a minute, and if the rhythm is incorrect, within a minute.
Pulse rhythm assessed by the regularity of pulse waves following one after another. In healthy adults, pulse waves, like heart contractions, are observed at regular intervals, i.e. The pulse is rhythmic, but with deep breathing, as a rule, the pulse increases during inhalation and decreases during exhalation (respiratory arrhythmia). Irrhythmic pulse is also observed with various cardiac arrhythmias: pulse waves follow at irregular intervals.
Pulse filling determined by the sensation of pulse changes in the volume of the palpated artery. The degree of filling of the artery depends primarily on the stroke volume of the heart, although the distensibility of the arterial wall is also important (it is greater, the lower the tone of the artery
Pulse voltage determined by the amount of force that must be applied to completely compress the pulsating artery. To do this, squeeze with one of the fingers of the palpating hand radial artery and at the same time, with another finger, the pulse is determined distally, recording its decrease or disappearance. There are tense or hard pulses and soft pulses. The degree of pulse tension depends on the level of blood pressure.
Pulse height characterizes the amplitude of the pulse oscillation of the arterial wall: it is directly proportional to the magnitude of the pulse pressure and inversely proportional to the degree of tonic tension of the artery walls. With shock of various etiologies, the pulse value decreases sharply, the pulse wave is barely palpable. This pulse is called threadlike.
Frequency
Pulse frequency is a value that reflects the number of oscillations of the artery walls per unit of time. Depending on the frequency, the pulse is distinguished:
moderate frequency - 60-90 beats/min;
rare (pulsus rarus) - less than 60 beats/min;
frequent (pulsus frequens) - more than 90 beats/min.
Rhythm
Pulse rhythm is a value that characterizes the intervals between successive pulse waves. According to this indicator, they distinguish:
rhythmic pulse (pulsus regularis) - if the intervals between pulse waves are the same;
arrhythmic pulse (pulsus irregularis) - if they are different.
Symmetric
The pulse in both limbs is assessed.
Symmetrical pulse - the pulse wave arrives simultaneously
Asymmetrical pulse - pulse waves are out of sync.
Filling
Pulse filling is the volume of blood in the artery at the height of the pulse wave. There are:
moderate filling pulse;
full pulse (pulsus plenus) - filling the pulse above normal;
empty pulse (pulsus vacuus) - poorly palpable;
thread-like pulse (pulsus filliformis) - barely perceptible.
Voltage
Pulse tension is characterized by the force that must be applied to completely compress the artery. There are:
moderately intense pulse;
hard pulse (pulsus durus);
soft pulse (pulsus mollis).
Height
Pulse height is the amplitude of oscillations of the arterial wall, determined on the basis of a total assessment of tension and pulse filling. There are:
moderate pulse;
large pulse (pulsus magnus) - high amplitude;
small pulse (pulsus parvus) - low amplitude.
Shape (speed)
The shape (speed) of the pulse is the rate of change in the volume of the artery. The shape of the pulse is determined by the sphygmogram, and depends on the speed and rhythm of the rise and fall of the pulse wave. There are:
rapid pulse (pulsus celer);
A rapid pulse is a pulse in which both a high rise in blood pressure and a sharp drop occur in a short period of time. Due to this, it is felt as a blow or jump and occurs when there is insufficiency aortic valve, thyrotoxicosis, anemia, fever, arteriovenous aneurysms.
Slow pulse (pulsus tardus);
A slow pulse is called with a slow rise and fall of the pulse wave and occurs when the arteries are slowly filled: stenosis of the aortic mouth, insufficiency mitral valve, mitral stenosis.
Dicrotic pulse (pulsus dycroticus).
With a dicrotic pulse, the main pulse wave is followed by a new, seemingly second (dicrotic) wave of lesser strength, which only happens with a full pulse. Feels like a double blow with only one match heartbeat. Dicrotic pulse indicates a drop in the tone of the peripheral arteries while maintaining contractility myocardium.
Follow us
The normal heart rate of an adult can differ significantly from that of a newborn. For clarity, the article below presents a table by age, but first we will define what a pulse is and how it can be measured.
Pulse - what is it?
The human heart beats rhythmically and pushes blood into the vascular system; as a result of these shocks, the walls of the arteries begin to vibrate.
Such oscillations of the walls of the arteries are usually called pulse.
In addition to arterial ones, in medicine there are also pulse oscillations of the walls of venous and capillary vessels, but the main information about heart contractions is carried by arterial (not venous or capillary) oscillations, therefore, further, when speaking about the pulse, we mean them.
Pulse characteristics
The following pulse characteristics exist:
- frequency - the number of oscillations of the artery wall per minute
- rhythmicity - the nature of the intervals between shocks. Rhythmic - if the intervals are the same and arrhythmic if the intervals are different
- filling - the volume of blood at the peak of the pulse wave. There are thread-like, empty, full, moderate filling
- tension - characterizes the force that must be applied to the artery until the pulsation completely stops. There are soft, hard and moderate-tension pulses
How are pulse fluctuations measured?
IN modern medicine Studies of manifestations of heart function can be divided into two large groups:
- hardware - using a heart rate monitor, electrocardiograph and other devices
- manual - with all the variety of research methods, palpation is the simplest and quick method, which also does not require special long-term preparation before the procedure
How to measure the pulse on your hand yourself
You can measure the pulse fluctuations of the arteries yourself.
Where can I measure?
You can measure in the following places:
- on the elbow on the brachial artery
- in the neck on the carotid artery
- in the groin area on the femoral artery
- on the wrist on the radial artery
The most common measurement method is the radial artery at the wrist.
To find the pulse, you can use any fingers except the thumb. The thumb itself has a pulsation, and this can affect the accuracy of the measurement.
Usually the index finger is used middle fingers: they are applied under the bend of the wrist in the area of the thumb, moving until pulse fluctuations are detected. You can try to find them on both hands, but keep in mind that the strength of the pulsation may not be the same on the left and right hands.
Features of measurements
During training, your heart rate is usually counted for 15 seconds and multiplied by four. At rest, measure for 30 seconds and multiply by two. If there is a suspicion of arrhythmia, it is better to increase the measurement time to 60 seconds.
When measuring, it should be borne in mind that the frequency of oscillations of the walls of blood vessels may depend not only on physical activity. For example, stress, hormonal release, increased body temperature, even food intake and time of day can affect frequency.
It is better to take daily measurements at the same time. For example, in the first half of the day, an hour after breakfast.
Heart rate norm for women
Due to physiological differences female body, which is subject to significant hormonal fluctuations throughout life, affecting cardiovascular system, the normal heart rate for women differs from the norm for men of the same age. The pulse rate in women at rest is usually 5-10 beats per minute higher.
An increase in heart rate is observed during pregnancy, menstruation, and the onset of menopause. This increase is called physiological tachycardia.
Normal heart rate for athletes
People who exercise regularly have a lower heart rate.
The resting pulse of athletes can be less than forty beats per minute versus sixty to eighty for an untrained person. This heart rate is necessary for the heart to work during extreme loads: if the natural rate does not exceed forty beats per minute, in moments of stress the heart will not have to accelerate more than 150-180 beats.
Over a year or two of active training, an athlete’s heart rate decreases by 5-10 beats per minute. The first noticeable decrease in heart rate can be felt after three months regular classes, during this time the frequency decreases by 3-4 beats.
Heart Rate for Fat Burning
The human body reacts differently to different intensities of stress. Fat burning occurs at loads of 65-85% of the maximum.
Table of load zones and actions on the human body
There are several ways to calculate the required load for burning fat, which give similar results. The simplest one, taking into account only age:
220 minus your age - we get the maximum heart rate (beats per minute).
For example, if you are 45 years old, your maximum heart rate will be 220-45=175
Determining the boundaries of the heart rate zone that is optimal for burning fat:
- 175*0.65=114 — lower limit
- 175*0.85=149 — upper limit
The very first actions when providing emergency assistance provide an objective assessment of the situation and the patient’s condition, so the person acting as a rescuer primarily grabs the radial artery (temporal, femoral or carotid) to find out about the presence of cardiac activity and measure the pulse.
The pulse rate is not a fixed value; it varies within certain limits depending on our condition at that time. Intensive exercise stress, excitement, joy make the heart beat faster, and then the pulse goes beyond normal limits. True, this state does not last long, healthy body 5-6 minutes are enough to recover.
Within normal limits
The normal heart rate for an adult is 60-80 beats per minute, that which is greater is called , less is called . If pathological conditions become the cause of such fluctuations, then both tachycardia and bradycardia are regarded as a symptom of the disease. However, there are other cases. Probably, each of us has ever encountered a situation when the heart is ready to jump out from an excess of feelings and this is considered normal.
As for the rare pulse, it is mainly an indicator pathological changes from the side of the heart.
The normal human pulse changes in various physiological states:
- It slows down in sleep, and generally in a supine position, but does not reach real bradycardia;
- Changes during the day (at night the heart beats less frequently, after lunch the rhythm accelerates), as well as after eating, alcoholic drinks, strong tea or coffee, some medications (heart rate increases in 1 minute);
- Increases during intense physical activity (hard work, sports training);
- Increased from fear, joy, anxiety and others emotional experiences. caused by emotions or intense work, almost always passes quickly and independently, as soon as the person calms down or stops vigorous activity;
- The heart rate increases with increasing body and environmental temperature;
- It decreases over the years, but then, in old age, it increases slightly again. In women with the onset of menopause, in conditions of reduced estrogen influence, more significant upward changes in pulse may be observed (tachycardia caused by hormonal disorders);
- Depends on gender (the pulse rate in women is slightly higher);
- It differs in especially trained people (slow pulse).
Basically, it is generally accepted that in any case the pulse healthy person ranges from 60 to 80 beats per minute, and a short-term increase to 90-100 beats/min, and sometimes up to 170-200 beats/min is regarded as physiological norm,
if it arose due to an emotional outburst or intense labor activity respectively.
Men, women, athletes
HR (heart rate) is influenced by indicators such as gender and age, physical training, a person’s occupation, the environment in which he lives and much more. In general, differences in heart rate can be explained as follows:
- Men and women V varying degrees react to various events(the majority of men are more cold-blooded, women are mostly emotional and sensitive), so the heart rate of the weaker sex is higher. Meanwhile, the pulse rate in women differs very little from that in men, although, if we take into account the difference of 6-8 beats/min, then males lag behind, their pulse is lower.
- Out of competition are pregnant women, in which a slightly elevated heart rate is considered normal and this is understandable, because while carrying a child, the mother’s body must fully meet the need for oxygen and nutrients yourself and the growing fetus. Respiratory system, circulatory system, the heart muscle undergoes certain changes to perform this task, so the heart rate increases moderately. A slightly elevated heart rate in a pregnant woman is considered normal occurrence, if, besides pregnancy, there is no other reason for its increase.
- A relatively rare pulse (somewhere near the lower limit) is observed in people who do not forget about daily exercise and jogging, preferring leisure(swimming pool, volleyball, tennis, etc.), in general, very leading healthy image life and watching their figure. They say about such people: “They are in good sports shape,” even if by the nature of their activity these people are far from professional sports. A pulse of 55 beats per minute at rest is considered normal for this category of adults; their heart simply works economically, but untrained person such a frequency is regarded as bradycardia and serves as a reason for additional examination at the cardiologist.
- The heart works even more economically skiers, cyclists, runners, rowers and adherents of other sports that require special endurance, their resting heart rate can be 45-50 beats per minute. However, prolonged intense stress on the heart muscle leads to its thickening, expansion of the boundaries of the heart, and an increase in its mass, because the heart is constantly trying to adapt, but its capabilities, unfortunately, are not limitless. A heart rate of less than 40 beats is regarded as a pathological condition; ultimately, the so-called “athletic heart” develops, which often becomes the cause of death in young healthy people.
Heart rate depends somewhat on height and constitution: tall people heart in normal conditions works slower than its short relatives.
Pulse and age
Previously, the fetal heart rate was found out only at 5-6 months of pregnancy (listened to with a stethoscope), now the fetal pulse can be determined using the ultrasound method (vaginal sensor) in an embryo measuring 2 mm (normal - 75 beats / min) and as it grows (5 mm – 100 beats/min, 15 mm – 130 beats/min). During pregnancy monitoring, heart rate usually begins to be assessed from 4-5 weeks of pregnancy. The obtained data is compared with tabular norms Fetal heart rate by week:
| Gestation period (weeks) | Normal heart rate (beats per minute) |
|---|---|
| 4-5 | 80-103 |
| 6 | 100-130 |
| 7 | 130-150 |
| 8 | 150-170 |
| 9-10 | 170-190 |
| 11-40 | 140-160 |
By the fetal heart rate you can determine its condition: if the baby’s pulse changes towards an increase, it can be assumed that there is a lack of oxygen, but as the pulse increases, it begins to decrease, and its values less than 120 beats per minute already indicate acute oxygen starvation threatening undesirable consequences until death.
Heart rate norms in children, especially newborns and preschool children, differ markedly from the values typical for adolescence and youth. We, adults, ourselves noticed that the little heart beats more often and not so loudly. To clearly know whether a given indicator is within the limits normal values, exists table of heart rate norms by age which everyone can use:
| Age | Limits of normal values (bpm) |
|---|---|
| newborns (up to 1 month of life) | 110-170 |
| from 1 month to 1 year | 100-160 |
| from 1 year to 2 years | 95-155 |
| 2-4 years | 90-140 |
| 4-6 years | 85-125 |
| 6-8 years | 78-118 |
| 8-10 years | 70-110 |
| 10-12 years | 60-100 |
| 12-15 years | 55-95 |
| 15-50 years | 60-80 |
| 50-60 years | 65-85 |
| 60-80 years | 70-90 |
Thus, according to the table, it can be seen that the normal heart rate in children after a year tends to gradually decrease, a pulse of 100 is not a sign of pathology until almost 12 years of age, and a pulse of 90 until the age of 15. Later (after 16 years), such indicators may indicate the development of tachycardia, the cause of which must be found by a cardiologist.
The normal pulse of a healthy person in the range of 60-80 beats per minute begins to be recorded from approximately 16 years of age. After 50 years, if everything is in order with health, there is a slight increase in heart rate (10 beats per minute over 30 years of life).
Pulse rate helps in diagnosis
Diagnosis by pulse, along with temperature measurement, history taking, and examination, belongs to the initial stages of the diagnostic search. It would be naive to believe that by counting the number of heartbeats, one can immediately detect the disease, but it is quite possible to suspect something is wrong and send the person for examination.
Low or high heart rate(below or above acceptable values) often accompanies various pathological processes.
High heart rate
Knowledge of the norms and the ability to use the table will help any person distinguish increased pulse fluctuations caused by functional factors from tachycardia caused by disease. “Strange” tachycardia may be indicated symptoms unusual for a healthy body:
- Dizziness, lightheadedness (indicates that cerebral blood flow is impaired);
- Pain in chest caused by impaired coronary circulation;
- Visual disorders;
- Autonomic symptoms (sweating, weakness, trembling of limbs).
Causes of rapid pulse and heartbeat can be:
- Pathological changes in the heart and vascular pathology (congenital, etc.);
- Poisoning;
- Chronic bronchopulmonary diseases;
- Hypoxia;
- Hormonal disorders;
- Lesions of the central nervous system;
- Oncological diseases;
- Inflammatory processes, infections (especially with fever).
In most cases, an equal sign is placed between the concepts of increased pulse and rapid heartbeat, however, this is not always the case, that is, they do not necessarily accompany each other. In some conditions (and,) the number of heart contractions exceeds the frequency of pulse oscillations, this phenomenon is called pulse deficiency. As a rule, pulse deficiency accompanies terminal rhythm disturbances in severe heart damage, the cause of which could be intoxication, sympathomimetics, acid-base imbalance, electric shock, and other pathology involving the heart in the process.
High pulse and blood pressure fluctuations
Pulse and blood pressure do not always decrease or increase proportionally. It would be wrong to think that an increase in heart rate will necessarily lead to an increase in blood pressure and vice versa. There are also options here:
- Increased heart rate when normal pressure may be a sign of intoxication, increased body temperature. Folk and medications, regulating the activity of the autonomic nervous system during VSD, antipyretic drugs for fever and drugs aimed at reducing the symptoms of intoxication, in general, influencing the cause will remove tachycardia.
- Increased heart rate when high blood pressure may be a consequence of various physiological and pathological conditions (inadequate physical activity, severe stress, endocrine disorders, heart and vascular diseases). Tactics of the doctor and the patient: examination, determination of the cause, treatment of the underlying disease.
- Low blood pressure and high pulse may become symptoms of a very serious health disorder, for example, a manifestation of development in cardiac pathology or in case of large blood loss, and, the lower the blood pressure and higher the heart rate, the more severe the patient’s condition. It is clear: not only the patient, but also his relatives will not be able to reduce the pulse, the increase of which is caused by these circumstances. This situation requires immediate action (call “103”).
A high pulse that first appears for no reason can be calmed down drops of hawthorn, motherwort, valerian, peony, corvalol (whatever is on hand). A recurrence of an attack should be a reason to visit a doctor, who will find out the cause and prescribe medications that specifically affect this form of tachycardia.
Low heart rate
The causes of low heart rate can also be functional (about athletes, as discussed above, when a low heart rate with normal blood pressure is not a sign of disease), or stem from various pathological processes:
- Vagal influences (vagus - nervus vagus), decreased tone sympathetic division nervous system. This phenomenon can be observed in every healthy person, for example, during sleep (low pulse with normal pressure),
- With vegetative-vascular dystonia, in the case of some endocrine disorders, that is, in a variety of physiological and pathological conditions;
- Oxygen starvation and its local effect on the sinus node;
- Myocardial infarction;
- Toxic infections, poisoning with organophosphorus substances;
- Peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum;
- Traumatic brain injuries, meningitis, edema, brain tumor, ;
- Taking digitalis medications;
- Side effect or overdose of antiarrhythmic, antihypertensive and other drugs;
- Hypofunction thyroid gland(myxedema);
- Hepatitis, typhoid fever, sepsis.
In the vast majority of cases low pulse (bradycardia) is considered a serious pathology, which requires immediate examination to identify the cause, timely treatment, and sometimes emergency medical care(sick sinus syndrome, atrioventricular block, myocardial infarction, etc.).
Low heart rate and high pressure– similar symptoms sometimes appear in hypertensive patients taking drugs to lower blood pressure, which are simultaneously prescribed for various rhythm disorders, beta blockers, for example.
Briefly about heart rate measurement
Perhaps, only at first glance it seems that there is nothing simpler than measuring the pulse of yourself or another person. Most likely, this is true if such a procedure is required to be performed on a young, healthy, calm, rested person. You can assume in advance that his pulse will be clear, rhythmic, of good filling and tension. Being confident that most people know the theory well and cope well with the task in practice, the author will allow himself to only briefly recall the technique of measuring pulse.
You can measure the pulse not only on the radial artery; any large artery (temporal, carotid, ulnar, brachial, axillary, popliteal, femoral) is suitable for such a study. By the way, sometimes you can simultaneously detect a venous pulse and very rarely a precapillary pulse (to determine these types of pulses, you need special devices and knowledge of measurement techniques). When determining, one should not forget that in vertical position body heart rate will be higher than in a lying position and that intense physical activity will speed up the heart rate.
To measure pulse:
- Usually the radial artery is used, on which 4 fingers are placed ( thumb must be on back side limbs).
- You should not try to catch pulse fluctuations with only one finger - an error is certainly guaranteed; at least two fingers should be used in the experiment.
- It is not recommended to apply excessive pressure on arterial vessel, since squeezing it will lead to the disappearance of the pulse and the measurement will have to start again.
- It is necessary to measure the pulse correctly within one minute, measuring for 15 seconds and multiplying the result by 4 can lead to an error, because even during this time the pulse frequency can change.
Here is a simple technique for measuring pulse, which can tell you a lot, a lot.
Video: pulse in the program “Live Healthy!”
