Heart Rate Measurement

Heart Rate Phases

Heart Beat
The heart generates its own electrical impulse The cardiac electrical signal controls:

the number of electrical impulses (heart rate)

It triggers the heart muscle to contract in the correct sequence as it spreads across the heart Lubb-dubb heart sounds are caused by closing of heart valves Valves of the heart close when heart contracts to prevent blood from flowing back into the ventricles
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Heart Beat
Steps: 1. Atria relax, fill with blood Diastole 2. Atria pushes blood into ventricle

3. Ventricles contract, pushing blood into arteries Systole

Increased pressure during systole causes AV valves to close lubb sound

Ventricles relax, pressure decreases, causes Semilunar valves

to close dubb sound
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Heart Rate
It is a Speed of heartbeat The number of heartbeats per unit of time The heart rate is typically expressed as beats per minute

(bpm).
The heart rate can vary according to the body's physical needs, including the need to absorb oxygen and excrete carbon dioxide.
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Average Heart Rate

The normal heart rate ranges from 60100 bpm

 It is below 60 bpm, refers to slow heart rate

- Bradycardia
It is above 100 bpm, refers to fast heart rate - Tachycardia If Heart rate is not regular in a regular pattern, this is referred as, - Arrhythmia. Activities that can provoke change include physical exercise,

sleep, illness, ingesting, and drugs.

Measurement
Heart rate is measured by finding the pulse of the heart. This pulse rate can be found at any point on the body where the artery's pulsation is transmitted to the

surface.
The radial artery is the easiest to use to check the heart rate. For emergency situations the most reliable arteries to measure heart rate are carotid arteries.
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ECG
Electrical activity of the heart is measured using an electrocardiograph: Instrument that detects electrical activity of the heart Electrocardiograph produces electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) Graphical record of heart rate and rhythm A more precise method of determining pulse involves the use

of an electrocardiograph, or ECG (also abbreviated EKG).

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ECG
An ECG the heart rate is measured using the R wave to R wave interval (RR interval). Additionally pulse oximeters measure heart rate by pulse

detection.

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Basal heart rate

The basal or resting heart rate (HRrest) is measured while the subject is relaxed but awake. The typical resting heart rate in adults is 6080 beats per

minute (bpm) .
This is the firing rate of the heart Sinoatrial Node (SAN), where are located the faster heart pacemaker cells driving the self-generated rhythmic firing and
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responsible for the cardiac muscle automaticity

Maximum heart rate

The most accurate way of measuring HRmax is via a cardiac stress test.

In such a test, the subject exercises while being monitored by

an ECG. During the test, the intensity of exercise is periodically increased through increasing speed or slope of the treadmill , continuing until certain changes in heart function are

detected in the ECG, at which point the subject is directed to

stop.
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Stethoscopes
Stethoscopes are used to transmit heart sounds from chest wall to the human ear. When the stethoscopes chest piece is firmly applied, low frequencies are attenuated more then high frequencies. the stethoscopes is in shape of a bell and it makes contact with skin which serves as the diaphragm at the bell rim.

The diaphragm becomes taut with pressure, thereby low

frequencies are attenuated.
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AED (automated external defibrillator)

Machine that delivers electric shock to the heart to restart the heart

Used when:
Heart contractions are not coordinated and muscles are quivering not contracting (ventricular fibrillation) Heart rate is abnormal (cardiac arrhythmia) Heart rate is too fast (ventricular tachycardia)

Improves survival rates by up to 30% if delivered in the first few minutes.

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Thank you

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