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The term pulse is the rhythmic movement of the artery wall, easily felt by placing a fingertip over the superficial arteries, depending on the elasticity of the artery walls. The heart rate is generated by the heart’s action as a suction pump and the associated changes in blood pressure due to the movement of the blood wave, which is usually ejected rhythmically from the heart to the aorta.
Pulse otherwise, the pulse is the movement of the vessels depending on the contractions of the heart and the elasticity of the walls of the arteries (they are much weaker if the patient suffers from atherosclerosis).
For health, the number of beats per minute, the perception of the pulse on both sides of the body as well as the interval between the beats and their intensity are important. It is commonly said that the slower the pulse is, the better for us, as there is a lower risk of a heart attack and stroke. However, too low heart rate is not good for our health, while too fast heart rate is associated with hypertension. Age and condition have an influence on the correct heart rate, heart rate is lower in people who are active on a daily basis.
During rest, the normal (physiological) heart rate varies with age and is:
• in a newborn: 130–140 beats / min,
• in a 2-year-old child: 110–130 beats / min.,
• in a 7-year-old child: 80–90 beats / min.,
• in adults: 66–76 beats / min,
• in the elderly sometimes: 60–65 beats / min.
An accelerated, irregular, or slower heart rate is the peripheral expression of this type of change in heart rate or rhythm. The heart rate can be analyzed in all arteries that are close to the skin, i.e .:
- radial artery – the inside of the wrist area, in extension of the thumb,
- dorsal artery of the foot,
- temporal artery – in the ear area,
- carotid artery – below the lower jaw,
- arcuate artery of the foot, etc.
You can check the heart rate by using e.g. from the special Vitammy o2 connect pulse oximeter with Bluetooth, which is now available at a promotional price on the Medonet Market.
Factors Affecting Increased Heart Rate
The acceleration of the heart rate and hence the pulse rate is favored by:
- various emotional states,
- stress,
- over-stimulation during an overactive thyroid gland,
- neurotic states,
- diseases of the production center, the so-called stimuli for contractions of the atria or ventricles,
- all kinds of fever,
- various drops in blood pressure (circulatory failure, haemorrhage, overdose of preparations lowering blood pressure, diarrhea) – as an attempt to adapt the circulation,
- respiratory failure (emphysema, bronchial asthma, inflammations, blood clots and blockages in the pulmonary circulation and the resulting lung infarctions, abscesses or post-inflammatory fibrosis of the lungs, various types of pneumoconiosis and lung cancer) – as a consequence of blood hypoxia and an attempt to compensate for the deficiencies by acceleration of blood flow,
- all kinds of anemia – as a consequence of insufficient oxygen transport to the tissues due to the small number of red blood cells,
- drinking a lot of alcohol
- drinking a lot of coffee,
- heavy cigarette smoking.
A slow heart rate may suggest:
- increased state of tension, the so-called involuntary parasympathetic nervous system, also called parasympathetic,
- the so-called blocks in the heart for conduction of stimuli (excitations) for contraction of the ventricles that discharge blood from the chambers of the heart chambers to the arteries,
- increased intracranial pressure (e.g. in stroke or brain tumors)
- toxic effects on the heart of various chemical substances from the outside or in the course of metabolic diseases,
- the so-called heart rate deficiency in the course of irregular heartbeat, etc.
Types of heart rate
We distinguish the heart rate:
- threadlike – it is fast and soft, often accompanied by shock or fever;
- high – otherwise known as the ram pulse, which occurs in people with aortic valve insufficiency;
- bizarre – characterized by a large decrease in systolic blood pressure when we inhale. This type of heart rate mainly occurs in asthma, pulmonary embolism, cardiac tamponade and pericarditis;
- dycrotic – occurs most often in cardiac tamponade and severe heart failure;
- hard, small – most often seen in people with a narrowed aortic valve;
- alternating – accompanied by left ventricular failure;
- twin – appears in some cardiac arrhythmias;
- two-bit – affects patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy;
- heart rate deficit – occurs when there is rapid atrial fibrillation or other ventricular agitation.
Symptoms of heart rate disorders
Tachycardia otherwise the accelerated heart rate is manifested:
- shortness of breath
- dizziness
- general weakness,
- palpitations
- feeling your heart stop beating
- heart flutter.
Bradycardia this, in turn, causes the heart to work more slowly and causes hypoxia in the central nervous system. Among the symptoms we can distinguish:
- swoon;
- tiredness;
- palpitations,
- dizziness,
- spots in front of the eyes,
- there is also unconsciousness.
During the visit to the doctor, the patient is auscultated at first and then the heart rate is measured. Then the specialist performs an ECG of the heart, and if the additional contractions do not occur too often, a Holter test should be performed. It is an electrocardiographic method with which the heart rate is monitored around the clock.
Sometimes a heart echo is also performed. It is also possible that your doctor will order a blood count and biochemical tests to make sure that low blood pressure is not caused by anemia or a deficiency of certain minerals. Often, women who restrict their weight loss have problems with low blood pressure.
Treating heart rate disorders
Treatment of heart rate disorders depends on the cause. A pacemaker may need to be implanted if the underlying disease is not overcome. In addition, people with low blood pressure should limit salt in their diet, engage in more physical activity, and get out into the fresh air. A popular method of increasing blood pressure is to drink strong, black coffee beans (however, it is known not to overdo the amount). In addition, it is sometimes recommended to wear special compression stockings to improve circulation. If home remedies do not help, drug treatment should be considered.
People with arterial hypertension should take care of a properly balanced diet and avoid triggering factors, e.g. stress, overweight, psychological trauma. It is often recommended to change the environment, visit sanatoriums or spas.
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