When a doctor does pulse diagnosis. Which of the following function is related to it?
1. Contraction of lungs
2. Contraction of heart
3. Expansion of lungs
4. Expansion of heart
Answers
2. Contraction of heart is the correct answer.
Explanation:
During the contraction or systole of the heart, pressure is exerted on the walls of the arteries that carry blood from the heart. As the blood moves forward, these contractions create pressure waves in the arteries. These pressure waves are palpable, so can be felt by touching the prominent arteries near the body surface by trained personal.
The commonly examined areas for pulse rate are the following.
- Neck (carotid artery)
- Wrist (radial artery)
- Groin (femoral artery)
- Knee (popliteal artery)
- Ankle joint (posterior tibial artery)
Pulse rate is measured per minute and is a measurement of heart rate itself. It ranges between 60 to 100 beats per minute during rest.
Pulse rate reflects the overall health of the heart and the body. For example, a fast pulse rate indicates a serious cardiac condition, while a very slow rate indicates fatigue.
FYI, the study of pulse is called sphygmology.