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50 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.