What is the normal pulse rate number?
I feel like my pulse is fast (slow), but is it okay?
Do you know some normal values for the pulse rate value that comes out together with the blood pressure measurement?
The pulse is a numerical value that fluctuates depending on daily life and illness.
Understanding your own normal values will lead to early detection and prevention of physical abnormalities.
This time, I will explain the normal value of the pulse for the elderly, and I will also explain the diseases that can be considered when the pulse is fast or slow.
table of contents
Normal pulse rate in the elderly
A normal heart rate for the elderly is 50-60 beats/minute.However, there are no textbooks or other textbooks in Japan that have a uniform writing style, so it is important to treat them as standard values. The so-called "normal" pulse rate varies from person to person. In addition, it is important to keep track of your normal pulse rate, as it can easily fluctuate depending on the illness you have or the medicines you are taking.
Factors that fluctuate the pulse of the elderly
From here, we will explain in what situations the pulse of the elderly fluctuates from the normal value.
rise in body temperature
An increase in body temperature increases the pulse rate. As body temperature rises, blood vessels dilate. Then, since blood pressure drops, heart rate increases to prevent blood pressure from dropping, and work to keep blood pressure constant can be seen.
Mainly fever due to colds and pneumonia, body temperature rises when taking a bath, and pulse rate increases above normal.
There is research on the relationship between bathing and pulse. This study examined the pulse rate before and after bathing in elderly people in their 60s to 80s. As a result of the research, it was confirmed that the pulse rate increased after taking a bath in the elderly in their 60s and 70s, but it is said that the pulse rate did not increase after bathing in the elderly in their 80s.
There have been cases of elderly people dying while taking a bath. From this research, it is thought that when people in their 80s or older experience a drop in blood pressure during bathing, their pulse rate does not increase as a compensation, and it is thought that it is difficult to maintain a constant blood flow.
massive bleeding
Massive bleeding is also possible as the pulse may increase. Excessive bleeding reduces the amount of blood circulating and lowers blood pressure. In order to prevent blood pressure from dropping, the pulse rate is increased to try to maintain blood pressure.
As people age, they tend to take blood-thinning drugs and have fewer platelets, making it more difficult to stop bleeding. As a result, they tend to bleed more often than younger people. Even if the wound is not large, if the bleeding continues for a long time, it may become anemic, so be careful.
heart failure
Even if the heart itself is not functioning properly, the pulse rate will increase. The heart acts as a pump that pumps blood. Therefore, if blood is not well stored in the heart or cannot be discharged, the amount of blood pumped out by the heart per pulse will decrease. Since blood pressure drops in such a state, the pulse rate is increased to prevent it.
Typical diseases include myocardial infarction, heart failure, and valvular disease.
The heart's electrical signals are not transmitted properly
The heart works with electrical signals. The heart has two areas called the sinoatrial node and the atrioventricular node, which send out signals to keep the heart moving properly. Disease names include sick sinus syndrome and atrioventricular block.
These conditions may require the implantation of a pacemaker.
In addition to illness, drugs may also slow the pulse. Mainly drugs for depression, drugs for atrial fibrillation, drugs for lowering blood pressure, etc., may reduce the pulse below the normal value.
Also, watch out for drug overdoses, especially due to memory loss.
pulse is disturbed
I will explain about arrhythmia where the pulse is disturbed. If the pulse is normal even in the elderly, the rhythm will not be disturbed. However, an arrhythmia occurs when the pulse is beaten when it is not the right timing, or when the pulse is not beaten when it should be beaten.
The most dangerous arrhythmia is called ventricular fibrillation, and in the worst case it is a dangerous arrhythmia that can lead to death.
Ventricular fibrillation is a condition in which the heart can only vibrate and is unable to properly pump blood throughout the body. If this condition continues, it is a life-threatening arrhythmia. In some cases, ventricular fibrillation makes it difficult to feel the pulse on the wrist. Compared with the normal value of the pulse of the elderly, a large change is seen. We perform electric shock using defibrillators such as AED and must remove ventricular fibrillation.
Arrhythmia can be controlled with drugs or treated with an implanted cardioverter-defibrillator.
Summary: If the value is abnormal, consult a specialist
This time, I have explained the normal value of the pulse of the elderly and the cause of the change in the pulse.
It is not the idea that the pulse is normal because of how many it is. It is important to accurately grasp what kind of change there is compared to the usual pulse. Factors other than pulse are also important. Blood pressure and body temperature are also important indicators, so it is necessary to check them together with the pulse.
There is also statistical data that the risk of sudden death increases if the pulse is not normal, soFirst, we recommend an early diagnosis.
Omotesando Helene Clinic specializes in regenerative medicine that does not place a burden on the body, and provides pre-counseling for those who cannot immediately start treatment.
Pulse fluctuations are also related to lifestyle habits such as obesity, excessive drinking, and smoking, but it is generally said that it is difficult to improve lifestyle habits.
Therefore, if you use "regenerative medicine" that utilizes autologous stem cells, you can use your own cells to repair weakened cells in the body and prevent and improve various diseases and complications.
"I'm curious, but I can't decide if prevention is really necessary now." You may be at risk of wandering life and death without realizing it, so Please feel free to contact us.
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References
・Kokichi Asakawa, Ryutaro Takahashi, and Fumio Endo. “Cardiovascular reactions during bathing in the elderly.” Physical therapy science 21.4 (2006): 433-436.
https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/rika/21/4/21_4_433/_pdf
・Takayuki Washiri. “2. Utilization of vital signs in clinical practice.” Journal of the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine 108.12 (2019): 2460-2466.
https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/naika/108/12/108_2460/_pdf
Supervision: Dr. Yasushi Tsuda