Pulse rate
Pulse rate is a vital sign that indicates how many times the heart beats in one minute, providing important insights into cardiovascular health. For adults, a typical pulse rate ranges from 60 to 100 beats per minute, with 70–72 bpm being the average. A pulse rate below 60 bpm is categorized as bradycardia, while above 100 bpm is termed tachycardia. Pulse rates can be measured at various points on the body, such as the radial artery at the wrist or the apical region of the heart, each serving different diagnostic purposes. Factors that can influence pulse rate include physical activity, emotional states like anxiety or anger, and various medical conditions affecting cardiovascular function. For instance, athletes may exhibit lower resting pulse rates due to their efficient heart function. Understanding pulse rate is crucial for monitoring overall health, diagnosing conditions, and assessing the body’s response to different stimuli.
Subject Terms
Pulse rate
Also known as: Heart rate
Anatomy or system affected: Blood, blood vessels, circulatory system, heart
Definition: The number of pulse beats per minute, which fluctuates with exercise, injury, illness, and emotional response
Structure and Functions
Pulse rate is a measure of how many times the heart beats per minute. An average pulse rate for an adult is 70–72 beats per minute (bpm), but pulse rates from 60 to 100 are within the adult range of normal. In adults, a pulse rate below 60 bpm is termed bradycardia, while a rate above 100 bpm is termed tachycardia.
The surges of pressure passing through the arterial system are palpated by placing the index and middle fingers over a pulse point. The thumb should not be used because it has a relatively large artery that may give a false reading of the examiner’s own pulse. The fingers should exert light but firm pressure. The number of heartbeats is counted, and the pulse rate is expressed in the number of beats per minute.
Pulse locations and their general uses include the radial artery (inner aspect of the wrist on the thumb side), used most commonly for routine assessment of adult pulse rates; femoral (in the groin), popliteal (behind the knee), posterior tibial (in the groove between the Achilles tendon and the tibia), and dorsalis pedis (on the instep of the foot), used for assessment of circulation in the legs; apical (at the left midclavicular line and the fifth intercostal space), used for infants and small children and for cardiovascular problems; and apical-radial (combination of apical and radial pulses), used for persons with cardiac arrhythmias.
An apical pulse is taken by listening to the heart with a stethoscope placed over the apex of the heart, which is located about three inches (seven and a half centimeters) to the left of the midclavicular line. Taking an apical-radial pulse requires two persons, as one person counts the apical rate of the heart while the other person simultaneously palpates and counts the radial pulse for one full minute. All pulse points may be counted for thirty-second intervals, and that number multiplied by two to arrive at the number of beats per minute. However, this method will give a false reading if the rhythm is irregular. The most accurate reading is obtained by counting the pulse for one full minute.
Disorders and Diseases
A variety of diseases and conditions affect cardiovascular function and thus influence pulse rate, including neurologic, cardiopulmonary, and renal disorders. Many factors aside from disease can influence the pulse as well. Fever, fear, anxiety, anger, and exercise will increase pulse rate, while rest and relaxation will decrease the number of beats per minute. Athletes often have a low resting pulse rate because their hearts pump very efficiently.
Bibliography
"All about Heart Rate (Pulse)." American Heart Association, October 15, 2012.
Craven, Ruth F., Constance J. Hirnle, and Sharon Jensen. Fundamentals of Nursing: Human Health and Function. 7th ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2012.
Katz, Arnold M. Physiology of the Heart. 5th ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2010.
Malik, Marek, and A. John Camm, eds. Heart Rate Variability. New York: John Wiley & Sons, 1995.
Vorvick, Linda J., et al. "Pulse." MedlinePlus, March 22, 2013.
“What to Know About Your Heart Rate and Pulse.” Cleveland Clinic, 15 June 2022, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/17402-pulse--heart-rate. Accessed 21 July 2023.