Pulse: Structure, Function & Diseases

A person is basically accompanied by his own pulse or heartbeat throughout his life. Per day, the heart of a healthy person performs more than 100,000 beats. For the human body, the pulse proves to be of essential importance beyond that.

What is the pulse?

In modern medicine, the individual movements of the vessel walls are called pulse. Both the mechanical expansions and the mechanical contractions of the vessel walls are subjected to closer examination within the definition. Relatively large pressure waves are primarily responsible for the individual movements. These pressure waves are caused within the regular heart activity. However, in modern medicine, the vascular expansions, which can be recorded in the area of certain body regions, are also referred to as pulse.

Measure, evaluate and examine pulse (healthy pulse).

In order for the pulse to be reliably evaluated, the pulse rate, among other things, is subjected to closer examination. In modern medicine, the term pulse rate refers to the number of beats per minute. In addition to the pulse rate, however, the pulse rhythm and the pulse quality also play an important role in pulse measurement. The actual pulse measurement can be done manually as well as electronically. If a manual measurement is being considered, it can be taken at various points on the body. For example, the examining person determines the activity of an artery in the temporal region by using his fingertips. However, manual measurement can also be performed in the armpit area or directly on the wrist. In addition to the neck, however, the backs of the knees and the backs of the feet are also suitable places for pulse measurement. An ear clip is usually used for electronic pulse measurement. Not infrequently, a finger clip is also used. Depending on age, a pulse between 60 and 140 beats is considered normal. According to medical studies, the pulse rate is significantly higher in women than in men. Similarly, the pulse in the veins is significantly weaker than in the arteries. In addition, a particularly high level of physical activity can noticeably slow the pulse rate.

Function, effect, and tasks

The pulse is given a particularly high degree of attention in modern medicine. For example, an altered pulse rate allows initial conclusions to be drawn about a serious underlying disease. In addition, increased blood fat levels, for example, can have a negative effect on the pulse rate. In most cases, an altered pulse is also considered a first sign of a serious heart disease.

Diseases

It is not uncommon for numerous individuals to be diagnosed with an elevated pulse (including palpitations) during a detailed examination. Basically, a pulse of more than 100 beats per minute is considered extremely dangerous. A pulse of more than 100 beats not infrequently appears in the context of mental stress or in the context of hyperthyroidism. Since the brain is no longer supplied with sufficient oxygen as a result of the increased heart rate, this can sometimes lead to life-threatening side effects such as severe dizziness or fainting spells. Because an elevated pulse is not infrequently based on drug intolerance, a change in therapy should be considered under certain circumstances. In addition to an elevated pulse, a relatively low pulse is also considered extremely critical by leading physicians. If the pulse falls below a normal value of 60 beats per minute, a doctor should be consulted as soon as possible. A low pulse is not infrequently based on an underactive thyroid gland. Often, diseases such as typhoid fever or yellow fever are associated with a relatively low pulse. A relatively low blood pressure can often be accompanied by serious side effects. For example, affected patients not infrequently complain of a particularly low level of exercise tolerance. In particularly severe cases, there may also be a brief loss of consciousness. If left untreated, unconsciousness often leads to cardiac arrest, regardless of its duration. Only a properly trained physician can reliably detect an altered pulse and treat it early.

Typical and common heart diseases

  • Heart attack
  • Pericarditis
  • Heart failure
  • Atrial fibrillation
  • Heart muscle inflammation