Contents
Correct pulse indicates our health and good condition. The pulse is nothing but the heart rate, i.e. the number of heartbeats felt in one minute. The correct heart rate will vary depending on our age, condition and gender. The correct pulse after exercise can reach up to 180 beats per minute. In this case, there is no need for concern. However, if a high pulse occurs accompanied by shortness of breath, dizziness, chest pains or breathing problems, see a doctor.
Correct pulse – norms
A healthy person’s heart rate should be between 60 and 100 beats per minute. Its amount depends, among others from age:
- babies – the correct heart rate of babies is much higher than normal, therefore a pulse of about 130 beats per minute should not be disturbing;
- older children – in older children, a pulse of about 100 beats per minute is considered normal;
- youth – in the case of adolescents, the correct pulse is on average about 85 beats per minute;
- adults – healthy adults have a heart rate of about 70 beats per minute;
- elder people – elderly people have a pulse of about 60 beats per minute.
Correct pulse – measurement
Pulse measurements are most often performed on the radial artery, which is one of the two larger arteries on the forearm. However, this is not the only possibility as the pulse can also be measured in other arteries. It can also be:
- external carotid artery;
- brachial artery;
- femoral artery;
- popliteal artery;
- dorsal artery of the foot.
Note, however, that the European Resuscitation Council does not recommend it heart rate measurement during CPR on peripheral arteries. The best solution is then to measure the heart rate in the carotid arteries.
To get a correct heart rate measurement, please proceed as follows:
- Place the middle and index finger on the hollow on the neck under the mandible at the carotid artery or on the wrist, i.e. at the radial artery, and press lightly. Remember never to measure your pulse with your thumb;
- when we feel a pulse, start the timer and start counting the number of beats;
- after 15 seconds, the result obtained shall be multiplied by four. Thanks to this, we will get an approximate value of the pulse per minute. If we want to accurately assess our pulse, it is best to go to a doctor who will not only measure the heart rate, but also take into account other factors.
Check it out: Can heart failure be prevented? Experts on heart disease
Correct Pulse – Heart Rate Assessment Factors
When examining heart rate values, it is worth considering the following six factors:
- heart rate frequency – otherwise known as the pulse rate, i.e. the number of heartbeats per minute. In this case, the fast heart rate and the slow heart rate are mentioned;
- regularity of the heart rate – this name is used to measure the interval between successive strokes and the strength of the strike itself. A heart rate measurement means that the intervals between successive beats are very close to each other. The strokes are the same and linked to the heartbeat. If there are any abnormalities, the heart rate is described as irregular. In the case of arrhythmia, there are complete arrhythmias, extrasystolic arrhythmias and respiratory arrhythmias;
- pulse voltage – indicates the resistance force of the artery. This value can be felt when palpating the pulse. In addition, this feature is associated with blood pressure. Taking into account the pulse voltage, a soft pulse should be distinguished from a hard pulse, which occurs, for example, as a result of aortic valve stenosis;
- heart rate – speed is the rate at which the artery is emptying and filling. In this case, there is a fast heart rate, when the wave is both rising and falling quickly, and a lazy heart rate, when a flat pulse wave appears with a stretched systolic-diastolic difference at the same time;
- heart rate symmetry – this value means that it is best to measure the pulse for comparison, for example on both the radial arteries on the right and the left;
- filling the pulse – this is the height of the pulse wave. This value depends on the filling of the artery with blood. The level of filling depends on the systolic-diastolic difference, i.e. the amplitude of blood pressure.
Taking into account the level of filling of the arteries, we can talk about:
- heart rate highwhen the wave is large and the arteries are well filled;
- low heart ratewhen the wave is small;
- heart rate uneven and bizarrely, when the filling is less than it should be, it disappears completely when you take a deep breath and a larger wave appears on the exhale;
- threadlike pulse and even when the heart rate is weak, almost imperceptible, but frequent;
- alternating heart ratewhen both weaker and more saturated waves appear.
Correct pulse – causes of too high values
A higher than usual value of the pulse may be the result of drinking, for example, strong coffee, green tea or alcohol, which disrupt the normal human heart rate. In addition, the abnormalities of the pulse are also influenced by exercise, stress and strong emotions, which can make our pulse reach values between 180 and 200 beats per minute. Then there is the so-called sinus tachycardia, and this is a normal body response. However, faster heartbeat (over 100 beats per minute) can be due to either natural or physiological or pathological reasons.
The most common causes of a high heart rate include:
- drugs;
- stress;
- physical effort;
- heart defects;
- heart failure;
- hypoxia;
- anemia;
- blood loss;
- circulatory failure;
- fever and infections;
- dehydration;
- hypoglycemia;
- overactive thyroid gland.
How to lower the pulse?
Increased heart rate values can also be the result of anxiety disorders. In people with neurosis, the heart rate can be very high, even for no apparent reason. Both medications and learning relaxation techniques help with treatment. In any case, a high plus should be an indication for a visit to a cardiologist. If necessary, he will order further diagnostics and prescribe appropriate medications to not only lower the pulse, but also eliminate the cause of the increased pulse.
Check it out: Thermometer, blood pressure monitor, heart rate monitor. Devices that will help you stay healthy every day
Correct pulse – causes of too low values
Too low a pulse, or bradycardia, means values below 60 beats per minute. The causes of low heart rate include:
- heart diseases;
- Hypothyroidism;
- sick sinus syndrome;
- nervous system diseases.
It is also a result of taking medications and metabolic disorders. When our pulse drops, we feel weak, short of breath and dizzy.
Normal pulse in pregnancy
The correct heart rate in pregnancy differs from the accepted norms. Due to the physiological changes in a woman’s body, her heart has to pump around 30-50% more blood each minute than it would normally do. In addition, the circulatory system of the pregnant woman is also trying to adapt to the new situation and that is why, among others, down:
- vasodilation;
- lowering blood pressure;
- faster heart beat.
All these changes make the resting heart rate increase to 80-90 beats per minute. On the other hand, if a woman had a normally high heart rate, it may be as high as 100 beats per minute during pregnancy. Therefore, pregnant women are often accompanied by a feeling of rapid heartbeat or palpitations, which accompanies a woman from the first months of pregnancy, and intensifies in the second trimester.
A higher-than-normal heart rate is normal, but care should be taken. A faster heartbeat during pregnancy can also be a sign of health problems due to anemia or an overactive thyroid gland. In addition, it should be remembered that during pregnancy, existing heart problems may worsen, and already existing heart diseases may become apparent. For this reason, monitoring the work of the pregnant woman’s heart and pulse is so important throughout the entire pregnancy.
Normal pulse and blood pressure
Pulse and blood pressure depend to some extent. It is worth noting that when measuring blood pressure, a pulse height measurement is always obtained, and this is not the case. Both the pressure and the heart rate are directly related to the state of our circulatory system.
If our blood pressure rises and the pulse decreases, it may be a symptom of, for example, dehydration of the body, which is often observed in the elderly. However, if we have noticed an elevated pulse and low blood pressure, it may be a symptom of arrhythmia, heart failure, and even a heart attack.