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Question

What is a pulse?

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Solution

Measuring a pulse involves using one's fingers to feel the tactile artery palpation of the cardiac cycle, also known as the heartbeat. It is possible to feel someone's pulse in any area of the body that has an artery that is located close to the surface, such as the wrist, the groin, behind the knee, on foot, or around the ankle joint.

Measurement of the heart rate is identical to taking the pulse, which is also known as the count of arterial pulses per minute. Auscultation, commonly known as listening to the heartbeat using a stethoscope, is another method that may be used to determine a person's heart rate. This method involves counting the number of heartbeats that occur in one minute.

In most cases, three fingers are used to take the radial pulse measurement. This is done for a purpose. The finger that is closest to the heart is used to occlude the pulse pressure. The finger that is middle-most is used to get a rough estimate of the blood pressure, and the finger that is most distal (typically, the ring finger) to the heart is used to void the effect of the ulnar pulse because the palmar arches connect the two arteries (superficial and deep). Sphygmology is the term that refers to the study of the pulse.

To know the difference between the heartbeat and pulse, click here.

Thus,

  • A pulse can be defined as the rhythmic contraction and dilation of the arteries resulting from the beating of the heart.
  • As the heart pumps blood into the arteries, the arteries expand and contract along with the flow of the blood.
  • The pulse is thus the rate at which the heart beats.

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