Is a pulse of 74 normal?

Pulse mainly refers to the number of times a person's heart beats per minute. Generally speaking, people with normal heart function have a relatively stable pulse rate, usually within a relatively fixed range. A pulse rate higher or lower than this range is abnormal. Many factors can cause people's pulse rate to be unstable, such as illness or emotional excitement. So, is a pulse of 74 considered normal?

The pressure in the arteries suddenly increases or decreases when the ventricles contract or relax. This rhythmic, periodic rise and fall is called pulse. The normal pulse rate is 60 to 100 beats per minute. The following are some common types of abnormal pulse.

Increased pulse rate: pulse rate greater than 100 beats/minute. Full and powerful, it is seen during the febrile period of febrile diseases. Pathological increased pulse rate is a manifestation of hypermetabolic function of the body or infectious increased heart rate. It is common in hyperthyroidism, various infectious febrile states, anemia, shock, and heart failure.

Slow pulse: pulse less than 60 beats/minute. It is often caused by vagus nerve excitement. It is seen in acute increased intracranial pressure, obstructive jaundice, etc., and also in hypothyroidism. When the pulse is less than 40 beats/minute, attention should be paid to whether there is complete atrioventricular block.

Pulse paradox (apnea pulse): the pulse weakens significantly or even disappears during inhalation. It is common in cases of large pericardial effusion and chronic constrictive pericarditis. When the above-mentioned lesions occur, the heart is restrained, the amount of blood discharged by the right ventricle is reduced, and the amount of blood in the pulmonary circulation is reduced. Also, because the negative pressure in the chest cavity increases during inhalation, the pulmonary vascular bed still expands as usual, so paradoxical pulse appears.

Water-rush pulse (collapse pulse): The pulse is rapid and powerful, rising and falling suddenly, due to strong ventricular contraction, increased cardiac output, increased systolic blood pressure, decreased diastolic blood pressure, widened pulse pressure, and increased pulsation amplitude of the blood vessel wall. Most commonly seen in patients with high-grade aortic regurgitation. It can also be seen in patients with hyperthyroidism.

Pulse alternans: The rhythm is normal but the pulse alternates between strong and weak, which is a manifestation of myocardial damage and is seen in myocarditis or heart failure.

Irregular pulse: irregular heart rhythm, irregular pulse: ① Regular irregular pulse: such as bigeminy and tripeminy. Seen in digitalis poisoning, coronary heart disease and heart disease. ② Irregular irregular pulse: the pulse beats vary in size and strength. It is seen in arrhythmias such as premature beats, atrial fibrillation, and second-degree atrioventricular block.

Pulse disappearance: the pulse cannot be felt, which occurs in severe shock or critical situations.