1. What is Arterial
Pulse?
- Arterial
pulse is the rhythmic expansion and recoil of an artery due to ejection
of blood from the heart (specifically, the left ventricle)
during systole.
- It
reflects the heartbeat and helps in assessing heart rate,
rhythm, and arterial health.
2. Mechanism of Pulse
- During ventricular
systole, blood is forced into the aorta, creating a pressure
wave.
- This wave
travels along the arterial wall and is palpated as the pulse.
3. Characteristics of
Pulse
- Rate – Number
of beats per minute (normal: 60–100 bpm)
- Rhythm – Regular
or irregular
- Volume –
Strength of the pulse (strong/weak)
- Tension –
Resistance to pressure
- Character – Shape
and feel of the wave (e.g., bounding, thready)
4. Common Pulse Sites
|
Artery |
Location |
|
Radial artery |
At wrist, lateral to flexor carpi radialis tendon |
|
Carotid artery |
Neck, between trachea and sternocleidomastoid |
|
Femoral artery |
Groin, below inguinal ligament |
|
Popliteal artery |
Behind the knee (difficult to palpate) |
|
Dorsalis pedis |
On dorsum of foot (important in diabetes check) |
|
Posterior tibial |
Behind medial malleolus (ankle) |
Mnemonic to remember pulse sites: "Real Cool
Friends Play Drum Pads"
(Radial, Carotid, Femoral, Popliteal, Dorsalis pedis, Posterior tibial)
5. Clinical Importance
- Tachycardia – Pulse
>100 bpm
- Bradycardia – Pulse
<60 bpm
- Irregular
pulse – Seen in arrhythmias
- Bounding
pulse – High cardiac output states
- Thready
pulse – Weak pulse, seen in shock or blood loss
- Absent
pulse – Arterial blockage or vascular disease
6. Pulse Wave Velocity
- Speed at
which the pulse wave travels in the arteries.
- Increased
in hypertension and stiff arteries.
Tags
ANATOMY