(pŭls)
[Pronunciation]
[L. pulsus, beating]

1. Rate, rhythm, condition of arterial walls, compressibility and tension, and size and shape of the fluid wave of blood traveling through the arteries as a result of each heartbeat.
2. Rhythmical throbbing.
3. Throbbing caused by the regular contraction and alternate expansion of an artery as the wave of blood passes through the vessel; the periodic thrust felt over arteries in time with the heartbeat.
A tracing of this is called a sphygmogram and consists of a series of waves in which the upstroke is called the anacrotic limb, and the downstroke (on which is normally seen the dicrotic notch), the catacrotic limb.

The normal resting pulse in adults is between 60 and 100 beats per minute. The resting pulse is faster, for example, in febrile patients, anemic or hypovolemic persons, persons in shock, and patients who have taken drugs that stimulate the heart, such as theophylline, caffeine, nicotine, or cocaine. It may be slower in well-trained athletes; in patients using beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, or other agents; and during sleep or deep relaxation.

PATIENT CARE
In patients complaining of chest pain, pulses should be assessed in at least two extremities (e.g., both radial arteries). A strong pulse on the right side with a weak one on the left may suggest an aortic dissection or a stenosis of the left subclavian artery. Young patients with high blood pressure should have pulses assessed simultaneously at the radial and femoral artery because a significant delay in the femoral pulse may suggest coarctation of the aorta. Patients with recent symptoms of stroke or claudication should have pulses checked at the carotid, radial, femoral, popliteal, and posterior tibial arteries, to see whether any palpable evidence of arterial insufficiency exists at any of these locations. If a decreased pulse is detected, further evaluation might include ultrasonography or assessments of the ankle brachial index. Patients who are lightheaded or dizzy or who notice palpitations may have detectable premature beats or other pulse irregularities (e.g., the irregularly irregular pulse of atrial fibrillation).

Subentries:
abdominal pulse
accelerated pulse
alternating pulse
anacrotic pulse
anadicrotic pulse
apical pulse
asymmetrical radial pulse
basal pulse
bigeminal pulse
bisferiens pulse
bounding pulse
brachial pulse
capillary pulse
carotid pulse
catacrotic pulse
catadicrotic pulse
central pulse
collapsing pulse
coupled pulse
dicrotic pulse
dorsalis pedis pulse
entoptic pulse
femoral pulse
filiform pulse
hepatic pulse
intermediate pulse
intermittent pulse
irregular pulse
irregularly irregular pulse
jugular pulse
Kussmaul's pulse
monocrotic pulse
nail pulse
paradoxical pulse
pulse parvus
peripheral pulse
pistol-shot pulse
plateau pulse
popliteal pulse
radial pulse
rapid pulse
regular pulse
respiratory pulse
resting pulse
Riegel's pulse
running pulse
short pulse
slow pulse
small pulse
soft pulse
tense pulse
thready pulse
tremulous pulse
tricrotic pulse
trigeminal pulse
triphammer pulse
undulating pulse
unequal pulse
vagus pulse
venous pulse
vermicular pulse
waterhammer pulse
wiry pulse