Radial pulse

Radial Pulse
Location of the radial pulse on the wrist
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The radial pulse is a vital sign that is commonly assessed in clinical practice. It is the pulse felt at the radial artery, which is located on the lateral aspect of the wrist, proximal to the base of the thumb. The radial pulse is an important indicator of heart rate, rhythm, and circulatory health.

Anatomy

The radial artery is a major artery in the forearm. It is a continuation of the brachial artery and travels down the forearm to the wrist. The radial pulse is palpated by placing the tips of the index and middle fingers over the radial artery, just proximal to the wrist joint.

Clinical Significance

The radial pulse is routinely checked in various clinical settings to assess the cardiovascular status of a patient. It provides information about the heart rate, rhythm, and strength of the pulse. A normal radial pulse is regular and has a rate of 60 to 100 beats per minute in adults.

Assessment

To assess the radial pulse, the examiner should: 1. Position the patient's arm comfortably with the palm facing upwards. 2. Use the pads of the index and middle fingers to palpate the radial artery. 3. Apply gentle pressure until the pulse is felt. 4. Count the number of beats in 15 seconds and multiply by four to obtain the beats per minute.

Abnormal Findings

- Tachycardia: A rapid pulse rate over 100 beats per minute. - Bradycardia: A slow pulse rate under 60 beats per minute. - Irregular Pulse: May indicate arrhythmia or other cardiac conditions. - Weak Pulse: Can suggest poor perfusion or shock.

Related Conditions

- Atrial fibrillation: An irregular and often rapid heart rate that can lead to poor blood flow. - Peripheral artery disease: A condition where narrowed arteries reduce blood flow to the limbs. - Heart failure: A chronic condition where the heart does not pump blood as well as it should.

Also see

- Pulse rate - Blood pressure - Cardiovascular system - Vital signs

References

• Smith, J. (2020). Clinical Examination: A Systematic Guide to Physical Diagnosis. Elsevier.
• Johnson, L. (2019). Cardiovascular Physiology. McGraw-Hill.

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