| Rate |
Definition |
| Bradycardia |
Rate of 60 or less |
| Tachycardia |
Rate of 100 or more |
|
| Rhythm |
Definition |
| Regular |
Evenly spaced beats, may vary slightly with respiration (sinus
arrhythmia) |
| Regularly Irregular |
Regular pattern overall with "skipped" beats,
seen with premature
ventricular contractions |
| Irregularly Irregular |
Chaotic, no real pattern, very difficult to measure rate accurately,
seen in atrial fibrillation |
|
| Pathologic Pulses |
Definition |
| Pulses Alternans |
Alternating weak and strong pulse seen in heart
failure
|
| Pulses Bisferiens |
Two strong systolic pulses followed by a weaker systolic pulse.
Best observed in the carotid but can be felt sometimes in the radial
pulse. Seen in aortic stenosis with aortic insufficiency.
|
Water-Hammer
(Corrigan's pulse) |
Strong and high amplitude systolic pulse followed by a rapid fall.
Seen in patent ductus arteriosis and aortic regurgitation.
|
Pulse
Terminology