IDENTIFYING PULSE PATTERNS
TYPE
RATE
RHYTHM (PER 3 SECONDS)
CAUSES AND INCIDENCE
NORMAL
60 to 80 beats/minute; in neonates, 120 to 140 beats/minute
o o o o
  • Varies with such factors as age, physical activity, and sex (men usually have lower pulse rates than women)
TACHYCARDIA
More than 100 beats/minute
o o o o o o o
  • Accompanies stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system by emotional stress, such as anger, fear, or anxiety, or by the use of certain drugs such as caffeine
  • May result from exercise and from certain health conditions, such as heart failure, anemia, and fever (which increases oxygen requirements and therefore pulse rate)
BRADYCARDIA
Less than 60 beats/minute
o o o
  • Accompanies stimulation of the parasympathetic nervous system by drug use, especially cardiac glycosides, and such conditions as cerebral hemorrhage and heart block
  • May also be present in fit athletes
IRREGULAR
Uneven time intervals between beats (for example, periods of regular rhythm interrupted by pauses or premature beats)
o o o o o o o
  • May indicate cardiac irritability, hypoxia, digoxin toxicity, potassium imbalance, or sometimes more serious arrhythmias if premature beats occur frequently
  • Occasional premature beats are normal