Compare the Difference Between Similar Terms

Difference Between

Home / Health / Medicine / Cardiology / Difference Between Pulse Rate and Blood Pressure

Difference Between Pulse Rate and Blood Pressure

December 3, 2011 Posted by Dr.Samanka

Pulse Rate vs Blood Pressure
 

Both pulse rate and the blood pressure indicate the status of the cardiovascular system, and may be confusing as both words denote the same since they share somewhat similar physiological mechanism, but they are two different entities. Pulse rate is the number of palpable expansions of the arterial wall as the blood flows through the vessel counted over a minute. Blood pressure is a measurement of force exerted by blood against the walls of the blood vessels. This article points out the differences between the two words with regard to the mechanism, the method the measurement is taken, and the pathological entities associated.

Pulse Rate

When the blood is forced out into the aorta during systole, apart from moving blood forward in the vessels, it also sets up a pressure wave that travels along the arteries, which expands the arterial walls. This expansion of the arterial wall as the blood travels is palpable as the pulse. The pulse rate is closely related to the heart rate in healthy individuals.

Pulse rate is a good indicator of the status of the circulation. Clinically it is assessed manually by counting the number of radial pulse for a full one minute when the patient is at rest and composed or using the pulseoxymeter. There are five components looked for when assessing pulse. They are pulse rate & rhythm, symmetry, character, volume, and the arterial wall thickness. These components give different clues about different disease status.

Normal pulse rate of a person is 60-100 beats per min. Rapid pulse rate is seen with a recent exercise, excitement or anxiety, shock, fever, thyrotoxicosis, and instances where the sympathetic drive is exaggerated. Slow pulse rate is seen in severe hypothyroidism and complete heart block conditions.

Blood Pressure

Blood pressure is the force exerted by blood against the walls of the blood vessels. It is calculated as;

Arterial blood pressure = cardiac output X Total peripheral resistance

Blood pressure is taken as two measurements; systolic and diastolic blood pressure where the systolic blood pressure is the maximum pressure exerted during ventricular contraction and the diastolic blood pressure is the minimum pressure exerted during ventricular relaxation.

It is measured using the sphygmomanometer. The normal blood pressure is taken as 120/80mmHg, and if it is > 140/90mmHg, it is taken as hypertension where the patient needs a regular follow up and necessary treatments, because very high-uncontrolled blood pressure can lead to organ damage.

Hypertension can be primary such as essential hypertension or secondary to some other cause such as renal disease, endocrine disease, sleep apnoea, drugs, alcohol or vasculitis. Hypotension may be resulted from cardiac failure or end stage of the shock.

 

What is the difference between Pulse Rate and Blood Pressure?

• Number of palpable expansions of the arterial wall counted per minute, as the blood travels through the arteries is the pulse rate, while blood pressure is calculated as cardiac output into total peripheral resistance.

• Pulse rate can be counted manually or by using a pulseoxymeter while the blood pressure is taken using the sphygmomanometer.

• In pulse rate, only one measurement is taken while, in blood pressure, two measurements are taken as systolic and diastolic pressures.

• Variations in these two entities give clues to different disease conditions.

 

Related posts:

Difference Between Heart Rate and Pulse RateDifference Between Heart Rate and Pulse Rate Difference Between Low Pressure and High Pressure Difference Between Heart attack and Stroke Difference Between Cardiac Arrest and Heart Attack Key Difference - Cholesterol vs TriglyceridesDifference Between Cholesterol and Triglycerides

Filed Under: Cardiology Tagged With: blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, Pulse rate, pulseoxymeter, sphygmomanometer, Systolic blood pressure

About the Author: Dr.Samanka

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Request Article

Featured Posts

Difference Between Coronavirus and Cold Symptoms

Difference Between Coronavirus and Cold Symptoms

Difference Between Coronavirus and SARS

Difference Between Coronavirus and SARS

Difference Between Coronavirus and Influenza

Difference Between Coronavirus and Influenza

Difference Between Coronavirus and Covid 19

Difference Between Coronavirus and Covid 19

You May Like

Difference Between Methane and Propane    

Difference Between Methane and Propane    

Difference Between Investment Property and Second Home

Difference Between Herd and Ring Immunity

Difference Between Herd and Ring Immunity

Difference Between EdD and PhD

Difference Between Moment and Couple

Difference Between Moment and Couple

Latest Posts

  • What is the Difference Between Declarative and Procedural Memory
  • What is the Difference Between Pancytopenia and Thrombocytopenia
  • What is the Difference Between Sandwich Elisa and Competitive Elisa
  • What is the Difference Between Mayor and Governor
  • What is the Difference Between ABI and TBI
  • What is the Difference Between Primary and Secondary Addison’s Disease
  • Home
  • Vacancies
  • About
  • Request Article
  • Contact Us

Copyright © 2010-2018 Difference Between. All rights reserved. Terms of Use and Privacy Policy: Legal.