Normal pulse range

What is the normal range of pulse? Pulse is what is commonly known as arterial pulsation, and pulse frequency is also known as pulse rate. In fact, generally speaking, a normal person's pulse and heartbeat occur together. The normal rate for an adult is 60 to 100 times per minute, usually 70 to 80 times per minute, which is roughly 72 times per minute. However, the pulse rate of the elderly is very slow, at 55 to 60 beats per minute. Generally speaking, the pulse rate of a normal person is regular, and the pulse intervals are usually not different. Generally speaking, the pulse intervals of normal people are the same. See the explanation below.

The number of pulse beats is closely related to age and gender. For infants, it is 120-140 beats per minute, for toddlers, it is 90-100 beats per minute, and for school-age children, it is 80-90 beats per minute. In addition, exercise and emotional excitement generally increase the pulse rate, while the pulse rate usually slows down when resting or sleeping.

An adult pulse rate of more than 100 beats per minute is called tachycardia, and a pulse rate of less than 60 beats per minute is called bradycardia.

Clinically, there are many diseases, especially heart disease, which can cause changes in pulse. Therefore, measuring pulse is an indispensable examination item for patients. Traditional Chinese medicine uses pulse taking as the main method for diagnosing and treating diseases.

During the cardiac cycle, the blood vessels undergo periodic expansion and return of pulsation due to the alternation of ventricular contraction and relaxation.

When the patient is critical, especially before death, the pulse frequency and rate will change significantly.

How to feel the pulse

Touching the arterial pulse has very important clinical significance; in fact, ordinary people can do it too.

Generally, to touch the radial artery: place the index finger, middle finger and ring finger of one hand on the radial side of the palm at the base of the thumb of the other hand (there is a bone nodule there, right next to the raised palm surface). You can feel the arterial pulsation, which is the radial artery. You can also feel the pulse on the brachial artery: on the inner side of the biceps above the elbow, which is also where the stethoscope is placed when measuring blood pressure: Others: dorsalis pedis artery, femoral artery, etc.

The strength of a normal pulse beats in a regular pattern. When the rhythm is irregular, we know it is an irregular heartbeat. For example, it usually occurs in atrial or ventricular premature beats, atrial fibrillation, etc. A strong pulse can prove that the heart contractility is strong, such as fever, exercise, etc.; a weak pulse can infer that it is caused by insufficient heart contractility or body failure, such as shock, wasting disease, etc.