What is the carotid artery pulsation?

As we all know, the human body contains many blood vessels, and blood flows through the blood vessels to all parts of the body. Under normal circumstances, people's blood vessels will not have carotid artery pulsation. There are many reasons for carotid artery pulsation, such as severe anemia, high blood pressure, etc. Once this phenomenon occurs, it is likely a disease signal sent by the body. It is recommended to go to the hospital for diagnosis and treatment in time.

Carotid artery pulse examination is an auxiliary examination method used to check whether the carotid artery is normal. The walls of the carotid arteries undulate periodically during each cardiac cycle. The pulsation of the carotid artery in a normal person is not easy to see when the person is at rest. During strenuous activity, the cardiac output increases and a weak pulsation of the carotid artery can be seen. In a quiet state, the carotid artery shows obvious pulsation, which is seen in patients with aortic valve insufficiency, hypertension, hyperthyroidism and severe anemia. Weakened or absent carotid artery pulse may indicate Takayasu's arteritis.

Normal value

The pulsation of the carotid artery in a normal person is not easy to see when the person is at rest. During strenuous activity, the cardiac output increases and a weak pulsation of the carotid artery can be seen.

Clinical significance

Abnormal results: Abnormal clinical manifestations of arterial pulse examination: A bulge and systolic pulsation can be seen in the second intercostal space and vicinity on the right side of the sternum or in the suprasternal fossa, which are seen in ascending aorta or aortic arch aneurysms. Systolic pulsation can be seen between the second and third intercostal spaces on the left side of the sternum, which is seen in patients with pulmonary artery dilatation and some normal young people. Carotid artery pulsation is seen when pulse pressure increases. Abdominal pulsations are seen in thin abdominal walls and aneurysms of the abdominal aorta and its branches.

People who need to be examined: those who undergo routine physical examinations and those with vascular abnormalities. Precautions: People who are not suitable for this disease: those with severe vascular and heart failure.

Taboos before examination: Maintain a normal diet and rest time.

Requirements during the examination: Do not check the carotid artery pulse on both sides at the same time, as this may cause blood circulation problems and the patient may faint. During the examination, the doctor examines the patient's carotid artery in a quiet state. If there is an obvious pulsation in the carotid artery, the patient may have diseases such as aortic valve insufficiency, hypertension, hyperthyroidism and severe anemia. The carotid artery pulsation should be distinguished from the jugular vein pulsation. The former has a relatively large and expansive pulsation that can be seen and touched, while the latter has a soft pulsation that is diffuse and can be seen but not touched. Related diseases: traumatic carotid artery embolism, hyperthyroidism in the elderly, hyperthyroidism in children, hypertension, aortic valve insufficiency, etc.

Related symptoms

Silently lying down, sluggish or knotted pulse, Yin deficiency and sunken pulse, carotid pain, carotid sinus syncope, weakened or absent carotid pulse, carotid plaque, etc.