2. INTRODUCTION
• Arterial pulse is defined as the pressure changes
transmitted in the form of waves through arterial
wall and blood column from heart to periphery.
• When heart contracts, the blood is ejected into
aorta with great force. It causes distension of this
blood vessel and a rise in pressure. A pressure
wave is produced on the elastic wall of the aorta.
• It travels rapidly from the heart and can be felt
after a brief interval, at any superficial peripheral
artery like radial artery at wrist.
3. TRANSMISSION OF PULSE
• Central arterial pulse is transmitted to the
peripheral arteries as peripheral arterial pulse.
• Formation and transmission of pulse wave
depends upon the elasticity of blood vessels.
• Thus, when the walls of the arteries are more
distensible, the pressure rise is less and so the
transmission of pulse is less.
4. • When the arterial wall loses its elastic
property and becomes rigid as in old age, the
pressure rise is more and the transmission of
pulse is also more.
• Pulse is not transmitted to capillaries because
capillaries are devoid of elastic tissues.
5. VELOCITY OF TRANSMISSION OF
PULSE
• Average velocity at which the pulse wave is
transmitted varies between 7 and 9
meter/second.
• Pulse travels faster than the blood. Maximum
velocity of blood flow in the body (in larger
arteries) is only 50 cm/second.
6. „
DELAY IN TRANSMISSION OF PULSE
• At the arteries, pulse is felt after a short interval
from the beginning of ventricular systole.
• This delay is very small and it can be measured
only by accurate recording.
• The delay is directly proportional to the distance
from heart.
• Delay of pulse at:
1. Common carotid artery: 0.01 to 0.02 second
2. Radial artery: About 0.08 second.
8. Pulse Rate at Different Age
• In fetus : 150 to 180/minute
• At birth : 130 to 140/minute
• At 10 years of age : 90/minute
• After puberty : 72/minute.
