Pulse is a vibration of the walls of blood vessels caused by rhythmic successive contractions and relaxation of the heart. In medicine, its arterial, venous and capillary varieties are distinguished. A complete characteristic of the pulse allows you to get a detailed picture of the state of blood vessels and the characteristics of hemodynamics (blood flow). The parameters of the carotid and radial arteries are of the greatest practical importance. Measuring the parameters of their work makes it possible to diagnose cardiovascular diseases in time.

Six basic characteristics of the heart rate

Rhythm

Rhythm - alternation of heart oscillations at regular intervals. Most often, a violation of the cyclicity can be caused by extrasystole.(the occurrence of foci that produce additional signals of contraction) or heart block (ie, impaired conduction of nerve impulses).

Frequency

Frequency (HR) is the number of heartbeats per minute. There are two types of deviations:

• bradycardia (up to 50 beats / min) - slowing down of the heart;
• tachycardia (from 90 beats / min) - an increase in the number of pulse waves.

It is calculated using a tonometer or by palpation for 1 min. Heart rate depends on age:

• newborns - 130-140 beats per minute;
• children under 1 year old - 120-130 beats;
• from 1 to 2 years old - 90-100 beats;
• from 3 to 7 years old - 85–95 beats;
• from 8 to 14 years old - 70–80 beats;
• adults from 20 to 30 years old - 60-80 beats;
• from 40 to 50 years old - 75–85 beats;
• from 50 years old - 85–95 beats.

The magnitude

The magnitude of the impulse impulse depends on the voltage and filling. These parameters are determined by fluctuations in the degree of arterial walls between systole, diastole and vascular elasticity. The following deviations are distinguished:

• A large pulse (i.e. when more blood begins to be pumped through the arteries with an increased tone of the blood pathways) is observed with pathologies of the aortic valve, hyperfunction of the thyroid gland.
• Small. May be caused by narrowing of the aorta, cardiac tachycardia, and increased vascular elasticity.
• Filiform. (i.e. when the blows are practically not felt). Associated with shock or significant blood loss.
• Intermittent. Occurs when alternating oscillations of small and large waves. Usually its occurrence is caused by severe myocardial damage.

Voltage

It is determined by the force that must be applied in order to completely stop the flow of blood through the artery. It depends on the level of systolic pressure. The following types of deviations are distinguished:

• tense or hard pulse - with high pressure in the vessel;
• mild - observed if the artery can be closed without much effort.

Filling

It depends on the amount of blood released into the arteries. The degree of oscillation of the vessel walls depends on this. If this parameter is normal, then the pulse is considered full.

An empty pulse indicates that the ventricles are not expelling enough fluid into the artery.

Form

Determined from the speed of change in the level of pressure between the contraction and relaxation of the heart. There are several types of deviations from the norm:

• A rapid pulse occurs when a lot of blood comes from the ventricles with high vascular elasticity. This causes a sharp drop in blood pressure during diastole. It is a sign of aortic valve insufficiency, less often - thyrotoxicosis.
• Slow. It is characterized by low pressure drops. It is a sign of narrowing of the aortic wall or mitral valve insufficiency.
• Dictation. It is observed if an additional wave passes through the vessels in addition to the main one. It is caused by a deterioration in the tone of peripheral vessels during normal myocardial function.

15. Method of determining the pulse. What are the main characteristics of the pulse in health and disease.

Pulse is a periodic expansion and contraction of arteries, synchronous with cardiac activity.

Palpation is available for pulsation of the carotid, temporal, brachial, ulnar, radial, femoral, popliteal, posterior tibial and dorsal arteries of the feet.

The study of the pulse on the common carotid arteries should begin with a simultaneous palpation of it on both sides of the neck. The index finger of the palpating hand is placed over the apex of the lung, parallel to the clavicle, and the pulp of the nail phalanx gently presses the carotid artery posteriorly to the outer edge of the sternocleidomastoid muscle. Also, the common carotid arteries are palpated at the inner edges of the sternocleidomastoid muscle at the level of the cricoid cartilage. Palpation of the carotid arteries should be done carefully.

Study of the pulse on the temporal arteries - you can palpate both temporal arteries at the same time; with the pulp of the nail phalanges of the second-fourth fingers of both hands, gently press the temporal arteries to the front of the skull at the front edges and slightly above the auricles.

Study of the pulsation of the aortic arch through the jugular fossa - the index finger of the right hand is lowered deep to the bottom of the jugular notch; when the aortic arch expands or lengthens, the finger feels pulse beats.

Study of the pulse on the brachial artery - palpate with the pulp of the nail phalanges of the second-fourth fingers of one hand as deep as possible in the lower third of the shoulder at the inner edge of the biceps muscle of the shoulder, the second hand holds the patient's hand.

Pulse study on the ulnar artery - palpate with the pulp of the nail phalanges of the second-fourth fingers of one hand in the middle of the ulnar fossa, the second hand - hold the patient's unbent arm by the forearm.

The pulsation of the femoral artery is determined by the pulp of the nail phalanges of the second to fourth fingers below the pupar ligament 2-3 cm outward from the midline.

The study of the pulse on the popliteal artery is best done with the patient in the supine or prone position with the knee joint bent at an angle of 120-140º; performed by the pulp of the nail phalanges of the second to fourth fingers, set in the middle of the knee fossa.

The study of the pulse on the dorsal artery of the foot is performed with the pulp of the nail phalanges of the second to fourth toes on the dorsum of the foot between the first and second metatarsal bones, less often lateral to this area or directly on the bend of the ankle joint.

The pulsation of the posterior tibial artery is determined by the pulp of the nail phalanges of the second to fourth fingers in the interval between the posterior edge of the inner ankle and the inner edge of the Achilles tendon.

It is customary to evaluate the properties of the pulse only on radial artery.

Technique for probing the pulse on the radial artery:

The radial artery is located under the skin between the styloid process of the radius and the tendon of the internal radius muscle. The thumb is placed on the back of the forearm, and the rest of the fingers are placed on the place where the radial artery passes. Do not squeeze the patient's hand strongly, as the pulse wave will not be felt in the pinched artery. Do not feel the pulse with one finger, because it is more difficult to find an artery and determine the nature of the pulse.

If the artery does not immediately fall under the fingers, you need to move them along the radius and across the forearm, since the artery can run outward or closer to the middle of the forearm. In some cases, the main branch of the radial artery runs from the outside of the radius.

Beginning the study of the pulse by simultaneously probing it on both hands. In the absence of a difference in the properties of the pulse, proceed to the study of the pulse on one hand. If there is a difference in the properties of the pulse, then it is studied in turn on each hand.

The following heart rate characteristics should be assessed:

1) the presence of a pulse;

2) the sameness and simultaneity of pulse waves on both radial arteries;

3) pulse rhythm;

4) pulse rate in 1 minute;

6) filling the pulse;

7) the value of the pulse;

8) the speed (shape) of the pulse;

9) the uniformity of the pulse;

10) correspondence of the number of pulse waves to the number of heartbeats per unit of time (in 1 minute);

11) elasticity of the vascular wall.

The presence of a pulse.

Normally, pulse tremors are felt on both radial arteries.

Pulselessness on both upper extremities occurs with Takayasu's disease (aortoarteritis obliterans).

The absence of a pulse on the artery of one of the extremities occurs with obliterating atherosclerosis, thrombosis or embolism of the artery proximal to the artery with no pulsation.

Identity and simultaneity of pulsewaves on both radial arteries.

Normally, the pulse tremors are the same and appear simultaneously on both radial arteries.

The pulse on the left radial artery may be smaller (pulsusdifferens) - observed in patients with pronounced mitral stenosis or with an aneurysm of the aortic arch (Popov-Savelyev symptom).

Pulse rhythm.

Normally, pulse tremors follow at regular intervals (correct rhythm, pulsusregularis).

1. Arrhythmic pulse (pulsus inaecqualis) - a pulse in which the intervals between pulse waves are not the same. It can be caused by dysfunction of the heart:

a) excitability (extrasystole, atrial fibrillation);

b) conductivity (atrioventricular block II degree);

c) automatism (sinus arrhythmia).

2. Alternating pulse (pulsusalternans)) - rhythmic pulse, in which the pulse waves are uneven: large and small pulse waves alternate. Such a pulse occurs in diseases accompanied by a significant weakening of the contractile function of the left ventricular myocardium (myocardial infarction, cardiosclerosis, myocarditis).

3. Paradoxical pulse (pulsuspanadoxus) - a pulse when pulse waves in the inspiratory phase decrease or disappear altogether, and in the exhalation phase they are palpated distinctly. This symptom occurs with constrictive and exudative pericarditis.

Pulse rate in 1 minute.

The number of pulse pulses is counted in 15 or 30 s and the result obtained is multiplied by 4 or 2. With a rare pulse, it is necessary to count at least 1 min (sometimes 2 min). In healthy adults, the heart rate ranges from 60 to 90 per minute.

Frequent pulse (pulsus frequens) - a pulse with a frequency of more than 90 per minute (tachycardia).

Rare pulse (pulsusrarus) - a pulse with a frequency of less than 60 per minute (bradycardia).

Pulse tension.

Pulse tension is the tension of the arterial wall, which corresponds to the force of its resistance when pressed with fingers until the moment the pulse waves stop. Pulse tension is caused by the tone of the arterial wall and the lateral pressure of the blood wave (i.e., blood pressure). To determine the voltage of the pulse, the third finger is gradually pressed on the artery until the second finger ceases to feel the pulsating blood flow. Normal pulse of good tension.

Intense (hard) pulse (pulsus durus) - occurs with increased systolic blood pressure, sclerotic hardening of the artery wall, aortic insufficiency.

A soft pulse (pulsusmollis) is a symptom of low systolic blood pressure.

Pulse filling.

Pulse filling is the amount (volume) of blood that forms a pulse wave. By pressing on the radial artery with different strengths, one gets a sense of the volume of its filling. Healthy people have a good filling pulse.

Full pulse (pulsus plenus) is a symptom of conditions accompanied by an increase in the stroke volume of the left ventricle and an increase in the mass of circulating blood.

Empty pulse (pulsus vacuus) is a symptom of conditions accompanied by a decrease in stroke volume, a decrease in the amount of circulating blood (acute heart failure, acute vascular insufficiency, acute post-hemorrhagic anemia).

Pulse value.

The pulse value is the amplitude of the arterial wall oscillations during the passage of the blood wave. The value of the pulse is determined based on the assessment of its filling and voltage. A large pulse is characterized by good tension and filling, a small pulse is a soft and empty pulse. In healthy people, the heart rate is sufficient.

Large pulse (pulsus magnus) - occurs in conditions accompanied by an increase in the stroke volume of the heart in combination with a normal or decreased tone of the arteries (pulse pressure is increased).

Small pulse (pulsusparvus) - occurs in conditions accompanied by an increase in the stroke volume of the heart or normal stroke volume in combination with an increase in the tone of the arteries (pulse pressure is lowered).

The speed (shape) of the pulse.

The speed (shape) of the pulse is determined by the rate of contraction and relaxation of the radial artery. Normally, the pulse shape is characterized by a smooth and steep rise and the same descent (normal pulse shape).

Fast or jumping pulse (pulsus celer at attus) - a pulse with a rapid rise and fall of the pulse wave, it happens with insufficiency of the aortic valves and in conditions accompanied by an increased stroke volume of the heart in combination with normal or decreased arterial tone.

Slow pulse (pulsustardus) - a pulse with a slow rise and fall of the pulse wave, it happens with stenosis of the aortic orifice and in conditions accompanied by arterial hypertension caused by increased arterial tone (diastolic blood pressure is increased).

Correspondence of the number of pulse waves to the number of heartbeats per unit of time (in 1 minute).

Normally, the number of pulse waves corresponds to the number of heartbeats per unit of time (in 1 minute).

Pulse deficiency (pulsusdeficiens) - the number of pulse waves per unit time is less than the number of heartbeats, characteristic of extrasystole and atrial fibrillation.

The elasticity of the vascular wall.

There are 2 methods for assessing the condition of the wall of the radial artery.

1. First, with 2 or 3 fingers of one hand, the radial artery is pressed down so that its pulsation stops below the point of compression. Then 2 or 3 fingers of the other hand make several careful movements along the artery distal (below) the place of its clamping and assess the condition of its wall. The radial artery with an unchanged wall in a state of exsanguination is not palpable (elastic).

2. The radial artery is squeezed with the second and fourth fingers of the palpating hand, and the properties of its wall are studied with the 3 (middle) finger sliding movements along and across it.

Heart rate characteristics are normal:

1) pulse waves are palpable clearly;

2) pulse waves on both radial arteries are the same and simultaneous;

3) rhythmic pulse (pulsus regularis);

4) frequency 60-90 per minute;

5) average in voltage, filling, size and speed (shape);

A person's pulse is an important indicator of the condition of the heart. A normal pulse indicates that the heart is working properly. Each person needs to know how many beats per minute the heart should beat, but most people do not attach importance to such an important indicator and do not pay attention to its deviations.

Experts call the pulse the mirror of the cardiovascular system. If the pulse rises or, on the contrary, decreases, this indicates the development or consequence of an already developed pathological process in the heart. Therefore, if you find a deviation of the heart rate from the norm, you should consult a doctor.

What is pulse

Pulse is a rhythmic vibration of the vascular walls, corresponding to heartbeats. Pulse is one of the main criteria for assessing the normal functioning of the cardiovascular system. This indicator testifies to the rhythm of heart contractions, their strength and filling of the bloodstream.

If the rhythm of the pulse fluctuation is disturbed, the doctor assumes the presence of heart pathology. The following factors can influence this:

• excessive consumption of coffee drinks;
• psychological overload;
• stressful conditions;
• hormonal imbalance.

In addition to the rhythm of the pulse, the frequency of its oscillations is important. The frequency of fluctuations is the number of pulse fluctuations in one minute. In a person without violations of the cardiovascular system, in a calm psycho-emotional and physical state, this indicator ranges from 60 to 90 pulse waves per minute.

How to measure your pulse

The most common method is to measure the pulse at the radial artery. It lies on the wrist from the side of the palm two centimeters below the base of the thumb. On palpation, a person will feel a depression in the form of a furrow. An artery that is closest to the skin passes through this fossa. This arrangement of the vessel allows you to easily feel the human pulse.

To measure the pulse on the radial artery, you must perform the following steps:

1. Relax the hand on which the pulse is measured.
2. Place three fingers (index, middle and ring) in the fossa in which the vessel lies, so that the person can clearly feel the pulse wave.
3. Open the stopwatch and count one minute, while counting the number of oscillations of the vessel.
4. Record results.

For the results to be reliable, the measurement should be carried out on two hands at the same time.

If the pulse rate is not violated, you can measure the pulse for 30 seconds, then multiply the result by two. If the rhythm of the pulse is disturbed, the measurement is carried out within 60 seconds.

In some cases, indicators are taken from the carotid, brachial, subclavian, femoral and temporal arteries.

What can disrupt heart rate readings

Since the number of pulse fluctuations depends on the heart rate, factors that directly affect the heart should be considered. The main factors on which vascular oscillation depends are:

• environment;
• gender of a person;
• the age of the person;
• Lifestyle;
• food ration;
• heredity;
• physical exercise;
• mental stress.

Modern research suggests that women have a normal heart rate eight beats higher than men. The value can change up or down depending on the general condition of the body, lesions of the cardiovascular system or the time of day. The position of the body relative to a horizontal surface and even the temperature of the air in the room can affect the heart rate.

In the evening, the heart rate decreases, and in the morning it reaches its maximum value. For a man, the normal rate is 60-70 vibrations per minute.

Surprisingly, 140 beats per minute is considered the norm for a newborn baby. In an adult, such an indicator is considered a strong deviation from the norm and is regarded as tachycardia.

Normal heart rate

The table shows the indicators of the heart rate in children and adults by age. These indicators are characteristic only for healthy people who do not have hereditary or acquired pathologies of the cardiovascular system.

Based on the data in the table, we can conclude that at birth, children have a high heart rate, which is considered normal. But with age, the heart rate decreases, and after fifty years it increases again. Heart rate is the heart rate that corresponds to the pulse rate. In addition, doctors say that before death, a person's pulse rises to 160 fluctuations.

It should be borne in mind that in women during the onset of menopause, a functional increase in heart rate occurs. This is due to a decrease in the concentration of a female hormone (estrogen) in the blood, and not due to a pathology of the heart. During this period, changes in the normal blood pressure of a woman are observed.

Normal increase in heart rate

A high pulse is not always associated with the development of pathological changes in the body. In a healthy person, the pulse rises in the following cases:

With an increase in body temperature even by one degree, an increase in heart rate is noted by more than ten beats per minute. In this condition, the upper limit of the normal heart rate is 90 beats per minute. If the indicator exceeds this value, the position is regarded as tachycardia.

In the case when the increase in the frequency of the pulse wave is of a functional nature, the person does not experience shortness of breath, pain in the chest, dizziness, darkening of the eyes or complete loss of vision.

In this case, the heartbeat should not exceed the maximum rate characteristic of the patient's age group. With functional tachycardia, the value returns to normal within five minutes after the end of physical activity. In order to quickly calculate the maximum allowable heart rate, subtract the number of full years of the patient from the number 220.

Pathological increase

Tachycardia due to pathological changes occurs in the following situations:

• acquired and congenital pathologies of the cardiovascular system;
• pathological changes in the nervous system;
• hypertensive crisis;
• hormonal imbalance;
• the presence of tumors;
• cardiac ischemia;
• heart attack;
• human infectious diseases.

Doctors note cases when tachycardia occurs with abundant discharge during the menstrual cycle or pregnancy. This is due to anemic syndrome. Prolonged diarrhea, vomiting, or other massive loss of fluid in the body can cause abnormal fast pulse.

Of particular importance are cases when there is an increased pulse during normal walking and normal pressure. If a person detects this symptom, you should immediately contact a qualified specialist for additional diagnostic measures. Such a condition can indicate the presence of heart failure.

In a child, a pathological increase in heart rate is much more difficult to track due to his lifestyle. Children are often involved in active games or have intense emotional experiences that lead to persistent tachycardia. If a teenager has vegetative-vascular dystonia, the doctor will note a persistent increase in heart rate.

If you suspect a pathological increase in heart rate, you should consult with your doctor, because if the body processes are not corrected in time, sudden loss of consciousness, deterioration of general well-being, suffocation or dizziness attacks may occur.

Decreased heart rate

A decrease in heart rate to 60 beats per minute and below indicates a pathological or functional abnormality. Functional pulse deficit is observed during sleep or in professional athletes.

People who go in for professional sports experience a drop in heart rate up to 40 beats per minute. This indicator is not a deviation from the norm, because athletes experience a number of changes in the autonomic regulation of heart contractions.

Experts note pathological bradycardia in the following cases:

• inflammatory processes affecting the fibers of the heart;
• intoxication of the body;
• myocardial infarction;
• age-related changes in the cardiovascular system;
• stomach ulcers;
• increased intracranial pressure;
• hypothyroidism;
• myxedema.

A common reason due to which a low pulse appears is a violation of the conduction of the nerve fibers of the heart. This leads to an uneven propagation of an electrical impulse along the fibers of the heart.

It is difficult to feel a slight decrease in the frequency of the pulse wave on your own, but with more serious deviations in a person, the blood supply to the brain is disrupted. As a result, dizziness, weakness, clammy cold sweat and loss of consciousness occur.

Do not forget about the decrease in the frequency of the pulse wave due to medication. Some groups of drugs can cause bradycardia.

Diagnostics

In order to reliably determine the presence of a pulse change, experts use instrumental diagnostics of the cardiovascular system. The main method for detecting such deviations is electrocardiography (ECG).

In especially difficult situations, Voltaire monitoring is assigned. In this case, the registration of the work of the heart is carried out throughout the day. If a person is healthy, then his indicators will correspond to the age or functional norm.

Less commonly, treadmill is used - a test in which an electrocardiogram is taken from a patient while running. This method allows you to identify the adaptation of the cardiovascular system to stressful situations and track the rate of restoration of normal heart function after exercise.

In an adult, it is much more difficult to find out the cause of the deviations, because the number of factors affecting the heart rate indicators increases several times. With age, the elasticity of the walls of the bloodstream decreases. This happens under the influence of the following factors:

• the presence of bad habits;
• alcohol consumption;
• low mobility;
• poor nutrition;
• irregular daily routine;
• individual age-related changes in the body;
• disturbances in the work of the nervous system.

In people over 45, the body does not have time to adapt to constant changes in environmental conditions.

Stress, environment, lifestyle, congenital abnormalities and the influence of many other factors lead to disorders in the cardiovascular system. Any disturbance in this system leads to a change in the normal heart rate and pulse rate. Therefore, it is very important to know what the pulse of a healthy person should be and to monitor it.

Pulse rate is one of the main indicators by which it is possible to draw a conclusion about the level of health and fitness of the body without preliminary diagnosis. To find out for yourself whether you are at risk, you should look at the table of a person's normal heart rate by year and age.

At its core, the pulse is a slight oscillation of the vascular walls, which are set in motion by the work of the heart (i.e., rhythmic contractions of the myocardial muscles).

Ideally, the intervals between pulsations are equal, and the average values ​​at the moment of rest do not reach the upper limits. In the case when the heart rate (HR) is disturbed, this gives rise to thinking about problems in the body and the presence of a serious illness.

Finger method

Oscillations of the heart muscle are usually measured by palpation by the impact of arteries. Basically, they use the radial, which is located on the inside of the wrist. It is in this place that the vessel is better palpated, since it is located as close as possible to the surface of the skin.

• If no rhythm disturbances are found, then the pulse is measured for half a minute, and the result is multiplied by 2.
• If fluctuations or irregularities are observed, then the blows are counted for one minute.
• To obtain the most accurate indicator, the pulse is measured on both hands at the same time.

In some cases, heartbeats are counted in places where other arteries are located. For example, on the chest, neck, thigh, upper arm. In young children, the pulse is measured mainly on the temporal part, since it is not always possible to feel the blows on the hand.

Hardware methods

• In addition to the finger method, you can also use special devices, for example, a heart rate monitor (chest, wrist) or an automatic tonometer. Although the latter device is more suitable for determining blood pressure.
• If a person is suspected of any irregularities in the work of the heart, then the pulse is measured using special methods and medical equipment (ECG or daily (Holter) monitoring).
• In especially difficult cases, a treadmill test is used. A person's heart rate is measured using an electrocardiograph during physical activity. This method helps to see hidden problems at the earliest stages of the disease, as well as to make a prediction about the state of the cardiovascular system in the future.

But even the most advanced methods will not be able to give an accurate result if the pulse is measured incorrectly.

So, you can not take measurements after the following actions:

• a sharp change in body position (stand up, lie down);
• physical activity, as well as after intercourse;
• emotional stress, stress;
• psychological experiences, including fear or anxiety;
• taking medications, alcohol;
• visiting a sauna, bath, taking a bath;
• hypothermia.

Table: normal human heart rate by year and age

It is customary to distinguish the upper and lower boundaries of the pulse. If the heart rate exceeds the first indicator, this condition is called tachycardia. It can be short-lived and not cause anxiety, as with intense physical activity or feelings of fear. Prolonged tachycardia occurs when a person has disorders of the cardiovascular or endocrine systems.

If the pulse is below normal, this is also considered a deviation. This condition is called bradycardia. It can be caused by congenital heart problems, medication, reactions to infectious diseases, and even poor diet. Fortunately, all of these conditions are amenable to complete treatment or correction.

To determine your own indicators of contraction of the heart muscle, you need to use the table below.

What should be the beats per minute for a healthy adult?

Heart rate depends on many factors and circumstances: age, level of physical activity, hormonal levels, air temperature around, body position, fatigue, pain, etc.

At rest

Those numbers that are called the norm - and there is a pulse in a relaxed, calm state. For adults who do not have serious illnesses, this number ranges from 60 to 85 beats / min. In exceptional situations, deviation from the "golden mean" is allowed, which is also considered the norm. For example, athletes or highly trained people may have a heart rate of only 50, while young energetic women will have this figure as high as 90.

Heart rate in training

Since physical exercises have different degrees of intensity, it is also necessary to calculate the normal pulse in an adult during training, taking into account individual characteristics and the type of load.

With little physical activity, the heart rate will be calculated as follows.

1. The maximum heart rate is calculated using the formula 220 minus age (that is, for a 32-year-old person, this figure is 220 - 32 = 188).
2. The minimum heart rate is half of the previous number (188/2 = 94)
3. The average rate during exercise is 70% of the maximum heart rate (188 * 0.7 = 132).

With intense or high activity (jogging, cardio, outdoor group games), the count will be slightly different. The upper limit of the heart rate is calculated in the same way, but the next two indicators are calculated differently.

1. The lower limit is 70% of the maximum rate (132 beats per minute).
2. The average heart rate should not exceed 85% of the upper limit (188 * 0.85 = 160).

If we summarize all the calculations, then the normal pulse of a healthy person during adequate physical activity should not go beyond 50-85% of the upper limit of the heart rate.

When walking

The average heart rate at a normal pace of movement is 110 - 120 beats per minute for women, and in the region of 100 - 105 beats for men. This statement is true for people of the middle age category, that is, from 25 to 50 years old.

However, if the pace is sufficiently mobile (more than 4 km per hour), walking is carried out with weight, on an uneven surface or in the ascent, then the heart rate will increase.

In any case, if during movement a person does not show signs of shortness of breath, dizziness, blurred consciousness, severe weakness, pounding in the ears and other unpleasant symptoms, then any pulse, even 140 beats, will be considered normal.

Normal heart rate while sleeping

During the rest period, a person's heart rate can decrease by 8 - 12% of the norm during wakefulness. For this reason, for men, the average heart rate is 60 - 70 beats, and for women - 65 - 75.

It also happens that the heartbeat, on the contrary, increases. This happens when the body is in active sleep phase. It is during this interval that a person can see dreams and nightmares.

By the way, an emotional experience in a dream can reflect on the heart. In this case, not only the pulse rises, but also the pressure. If a person is awakened abruptly, then he is likely to feel discomfort. This condition goes away on its own within 1 - 5 minutes.

Heart rate during pregnancy

In expectant mothers, the pulse rises slightly. This is due to the fact that the vessels and heart of a pregnant woman distill blood not only for themselves, but also for the fetus. In this case, the pressure of the baby on the surrounding tissues causes vasospasm, and this also leads to a large load on the heart muscle.

Do not discount the hormonal changes that are inherent in all women during this period. Therefore, the rate of heart rate during gestation is considered to be 100 - 115 beats per minute. Moreover, in late pregnancy, especially before childbirth, even severe tachycardia may be observed, which does not require treatment.

Frequency
Pulse rate is a value that reflects the number of oscillations of the artery walls per unit of time. Depending on the frequency, the pulse is distinguished:
moderate frequency - 60-90 bpm;
rare (pulsus rarus) - less than 60 bpm;
frequent (pulsus frequens) - more than 90 beats / min.

Rhythm
The rhythm of the pulse is a value that characterizes the intervals between the following pulse waves. According to this indicator, they are distinguished:
rhythmic pulse (pulsus regularis) - if the intervals between pulse waves are the same;
arrhythmic pulse (pulsus irregularis) - if they are different.

Symmetric
The pulse on both limbs is assessed.
Symmetrical pulse - the pulse wave arrives at the same time
Asymmetric pulse - pulse waves are out of sync.

Filling
Pulse filling is the volume of blood in the artery at the height of the pulse wave. Distinguish:
pulse of moderate filling;
full pulse (pulsus plenus) - filling the pulse in excess of the norm;
empty pulse (pulsus vacuus) - poorly palpable;
filamentous pulse (pulsus filliformis) - barely perceptible.

Voltage
Pulse tension is characterized by the force that must be applied to completely clamp the artery. Distinguish:
pulse of moderate tension;
hard pulse (pulsus durus);
soft pulse (pulsus mollis).

Height
The height of the pulse is the amplitude of the oscillations of the arterial wall, determined on the basis of the total assessment of the tension and filling of the pulse. Distinguish:
pulse of moderate height;
large pulse (pulsus magnus) - high amplitude;
small pulse (pulsus parvus) - low amplitude.

Shape (speed)
The shape (speed) of the pulse is the rate of change in the volume of the artery. The shape of the pulse is determined by the sphygmogram, and depends on the speed and rhythm of the rise and fall of the pulse wave. Distinguish:
fast pulse (pulsus celer);
Pulse is called fast, in which both a high rise in blood pressure and a sharp drop occur in a shorter time. Due to this, it feels like a shock or a jump and occurs in case of aortic valve insufficiency, thyrotoxicosis, anemia, fever, arteriovenous aneurysms.

Slow pulse (pulsus tardus);
Slow is a pulse with a slow rise and fall of the pulse wave and occurs when the arteries are slowly filling: aortic stenosis, mitral valve insufficiency, mitral stenosis.

Dycrotic pulse (pulsus dycroticus).
With a dicrotic pulse, the main pulse wave is followed by a new, as it were, a second (dicrotic) wave of lesser strength, which happens only with a full pulse. Feels like a double beat, which corresponds to only one heartbeat. A dicrotic pulse indicates a drop in the tone of the peripheral arteries while maintaining the contractility of the myocardium.

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