PULSE


Meaning of PULSE in English

arterial pressure wave generated by the opening and closing of the aortic valve in the heart. This wave can be felt by applying firm fingertip pressure to the skin at sites where the arteries travel near the skin's surface; it is more evident when surrounding muscles are relaxed. The pulse is more defined at pulse points close to the heart, where several distinct sections of the wave can be distinguished. Common pulse points include the carotid artery of the neck, the brachial artery inside the elbow, and the radial artery in the wrist. The association of pulse with the action of the heart was recognized by the ancient Egyptians, and it remains a valuable indicator of cardiac function in modern medicine. Pulse rate, strength, and rhythm and the contour of the pulse wave all provide valuable diagnostic information; for example, the regular alteration between strong and weak pulses can indicate life-threatening heart failure. It is also important that pulse information be used in connection with the individual's medical history. A rapid pulse, for example, may indicate serious cardiac disease, a relatively innocuous fever, or simply vigorous exercise; a slow pulse may be a result of head injuries, but it is also normal in highly trained athletes with exceptional heart function. Pulse rates vary from person to person and from country to country. The normal pulse rate of an adult at rest may range from 50 to 85 beats per minute, although the mean rate is about 70 to 72 for men and 78 to 82 for women. In infants the rate ranges from 110 to 140; the rate decreases with age, and the rate for adolescents is 80 to 90; the normal rate for the elderly may be 50 to 70.

Britannica English vocabulary.      Английский словарь Британика.