What is a pulse deficit?

A pulse deficit is defined as the difference between the apical pulse and the radial pulse counts. This term is used in nursing and clinical practice to assess cardiac function and circulation effectively.

When a healthcare provider measures the apical pulse, which is taken directly from the heart using a stethoscope, it reflects all the heartbeats that are produced. Conversely, the radial pulse is observed at the wrist and represents the beats that are actually felt there, indicating that blood has reached the extremities. If the apical pulse is higher than the radial pulse, a pulse deficit exists, which could indicate an issue such as decreased cardiac output, arrhythmias, or other cardiovascular concerns.

Understanding pulse deficit can provide vital information for patient assessment and highlight the need for further evaluation or intervention in cases where the deficit is significant.