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Content of training material

Basic indicators of the cardiovascular system condition

Arterial pulse

is a periodic oscillation of the arterial walls caused by the

contraction of the heart. Pulse (P) is determined by palpation in the arteries,

more often in the radial one. In palpation the following properties of the pulse

are studied: frequency, rhythm, tension, filling, size.

The heart rate

is determined by counting the number of pulse waves per

minute. The heart rate ranges from 130 to 140 beats per minute in newborns,

100 in 3 to 5‑yeas-olds, 85–90 in 7–10 –year-olds, 60 to 80 in adults, and less

than 60 beats per minute in elderly.

The rhythm of the pulse

. Normally, the pulse is rhythmic – pulse waves are

the same in strength and intervals. Various kinds of deviations from this are

called arrhythmias (arrhythmic pulse), when the magnitude of the pulse waves

and the intervals between them are different.

Pulse deficit

is the difference between the number of heartbeats and the pulse

rate for the same minute. To determine the pulse deficit two people at the same

time for one minute listen to the heart (count the number of systoles) and feel

the pulse (count the number of pulse waves). The greater is the pulse deficit, the

worse is the prognosis. For example: heart rate – 110/min; R – 90 min. Deficit

pulse 110–90=20.

Pulse filling

– the volume of blood in the artery. It depends on the release

of blood at the time of systole, the total amount of blood in the body and its

distribution. If the volume is normal or increased (with good filling) – the

pulse is full. If the volume is reduced (weak filling – with blood loss, circulatory

disorders) – the pulse is empty.

The pulse tension

is determined by the resistance of the artery to the

palpating finger and is measured by the degree of pressure exerted on the artery

so that the fingers feeling it stop feeling the pulse. Depends on the amount of

blood pressure. At high blood pressure, the pulse is hard and tense, at low blood

pressure it is soft and threadlike.

The size of the pulse

is the total rate of pulse filling and tension.

Blood pressure (BP)

is the force with which blood presses on the wall of

the artery. It depends on the size of the cardiac output, blood viscosity, blood

flow to the arterial system and the tone of the vessel. Method of measurement

of blood pressure – tonometry – was developed by N. Korotkov. The level of

blood pressure is determined by the pulse tension and shape.