The apex of the heart is referred to as the apical pulse.The left part of the chest is where the heart is located in a healthy person.It is sometimes referred to as the point of maximum impulse.You need to know how to find and interpret the apical pulse before you take it.
Step 1: Ask the patient to take off their shirt.
The bare chest is where you need to access the apical pulse.
Step 2: Find the clavicle to feel the first rib.
You should feel for the clavicle.The collarbone is also known as the clavicle.It can be felt in the rib cage.The first rib is below the clavicle.The intercostal space is between two ribs.The space between the first and second ribs is called the intercostal space.
Step 3: As you work your way down, count the ribs.
Count the ribs from the first intercostal space down to the fifth.The fifth intercostal space should be between the fifth and sixth ribs.If you're using the apical pulse on a female, you can use three fingers to feel below the left breast.This method will usually work on a man as well.You don't have to count the ribs to take the pulse.
Step 4: An imaginary line can be drawn from the middle of the left clavicle through the nipple.
The midclavicular line is called.At the intersection of the fifth intercostal space and the midclavicular line, the apical pulse can be felt and heard.
Step 5: Do you use a stethoscope or regular touch?
A stethoscope can be used to take the apical pulse.It can be difficult to feel a pulse in women with breast tissue around it.It might be easier to use a stethoscope for this purpose.It is almost impossible for most people to feel an apical pulse.Unless the person is upset or in shock, their apical pulse will be too faint to detect without a stethoscope.
Step 6: Prepare your stethoscope.
Put the earpieces in your ears.The part of the stethoscope that you use to listen to the patient's chest is in your hand.Rub the end of the stethoscope to warm it up and make sure you can hear the sounds through it.If you can't hear anything through the diaphragm, make sure the stethoscope is attached to it.You may not hear anything if it is loose.
Step 7: You should put the stethoscope on the spot where you found the apical pulse.
If you tell the person to breathe through his or her nose, it will decrease the sound of the breath and make hearing the heart easier.You should be able to hear the two sounds.This is a single beat.It's easier to hear if the person faces away from you.A heartbeat sounds like a horse.
Step 8: How many lub-dub sets do you hear in a single minute?
The heart rate is the pulse rate.Think about what you would say about the pulse.Is it loud?Strong?Is the rhythm regular or irregular?
Step 9: Find the person's heart rate.
If you have a second hand watch, you can count the pulse rate.You have 60 seconds to count how many lub-dubs you hear.The normal pulse rate for adults is 100 beats per minute.It is different with children.The normal heart rate for three year olds is 80-140.75-120 is a normal heart rate for four to nine year olds.50-90 beats per minute is the normal pulse rate for 10 to 15 years old.
Step 10: Interpretation of heartbeats can be difficult.
Apical pulse interpretation is an art.There are many things one can learn from an apical pulse.The following steps detail these.
Step 11: The heartbeat you hear is slow.
It could be a normal adaptation for someone who is in good shape if the pulse rate is very slow.For elderly patients, some medicines make the heart beat slower.A classic example of this is the class of drugs called beta-blockers.These can be used to treat high blood pressure.A slow heart beat can be strong or weak.A strong heart beat is a sign of good health.
Step 12: If the pulse is very fast, consider it.
It could be normal for someone to be exercising if the pulse rate is very fast.Children have higher pulse rates than adults do.It could also be a sign of something more serious.
Step 13: Consider the chance that the heartbeat is displaced.
The apical pulse may be moved to the left or right.Obese individuals or pregnant women may have their apical pulse shifted to the left, as the heart gets shifted with extra contents in the abdomen.Heavy smokers with lung disease may have apical pulse displaced to the right.The heart is pulled to the right and the lungs are pulled down to get as much air as possible.Move your stethoscope to the side and check the pulse again if you suspect a displaced heartbeat.
Step 14: The pulse may be irregular.
Consider if the heartbeat seems shaky.Some of the potential causes of an irregular heartbeat are temporary and not harmful.Smoking, stress, drug use, and medications are some of the causes of an irregular heartbeat.
Step 15: Understand what a pulse is.
A pulse is audible.A pulse rate is a measurement of how fast an individual's heart is beating.The pulse rate is between 60 and 100 beats per minute.If pulse rates are slower than this, it may be a problem.It is possible that they are normal for some individuals.Highly trained athletes have low pulse rates, while someone exercising may have a heart rate higher than 100.In both of these cases, the heart rates are lower than one might think, but they are not a problem.Ask the athlete if they know their resting heart rate.
Step 16: Understand that pulse can be analyzed by how they feel.
Is the beat smooth or weak?Is the pulse bounding a sign that it feels stronger?A weak pulse may mean that someone has low blood volume in their vessels.A bounding pulse can occur when someone is afraid or running.
Step 17: Know where they are located.
One can feel a pulse in many places on the body.The stiff tube in the front of the neck is where the carotid pulse is located.The carotid arteries carry blood to the head and neck.There is a brachial pulse inside the elbow.The radial pulse is felt on the wrist at the base of the thumb.The femoral pulse can be felt in the groin.The pulse is behind the knee.The pulse is located at the ankle on the inner side of the leg behind the malleolus.The pedal pulse is on the top of the foot.This pulse can be hard to feel.