Pulsações

Pulsações, also known as pulses, are rhythmic expansions and contractions of arteries that occur as blood is pumped through them by the heart. This phenomenon is a direct result of the heart's systolic contraction, which forces blood into the arterial system, creating a wave of pressure that travels along the vessel walls. As the heart relaxes during diastole, the pressure within the arteries decreases.

The detection of a pulse is a fundamental part of medical examinations, as it provides vital information about a person's cardiovascular health. The rate of the pulse, measured in beats per minute, indicates how fast the heart is beating. A normal resting pulse rate for adults typically ranges between 60 and 100 beats per minute. Factors such as physical activity, stress, fever, and certain medications can influence pulse rate.

The rhythm of the pulse refers to the regularity of the beats. An irregular pulse, known as an arrhythmia, can sometimes indicate underlying heart conditions. The strength or amplitude of the pulse, often described as weak, normal, or bounding, reflects the volume of blood ejected by the heart and the elasticity of the arterial walls.

Common sites for checking a pulse include the radial artery in the wrist, the carotid artery in the neck, and the brachial artery in the upper arm. Healthcare professionals use pulse monitoring to assess heart function, diagnose conditions, and monitor the effectiveness of treatments.