Difference Between Heart Rate and Pulse Rate

Edited By Irshad Anwar | Updated on Aug 22, 2024 11:20 AM IST

What Are Heart Rate And Pulse Rate?

Precisely, pulse is defined as the number of contractions every one minute and denotes the capacity and work rate of the heart. Pulse rate, on the other hand, is the number of times the arteries swell due to contraction of the heart per unit time, usually checked by restraining pulse points such as the wrist or neck. In most cases, the heart rate is equivalent to the pulse rate; however, there may be differences due to the existence of an irregular pulse or any circulation problem. This distinction is significant to achieve accurate health assessment and differential diagnosis of medical conditions because it determines potential heart and vascular issues including arrhythmias and circulation disorders that require timely intervention and management of conditions that are relevant to heart and vascular structures.

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Difference Between Heart Rate and Pulse Rate

Comparison Between Heart Rate And Pulse Rate

Aspect	Heart Rate	Pulse Rate
Definition	Number of heartbeats per minute	Number of pulse beats felt at arterial points per minute
Source of Measurement	Directly measured from the heart (via electrocardiogram)	Measured at pulse points (e.g., wrist, neck) reflecting arterial expansion and contraction
Normal Range	60-100 beats per minute	Typically matches heart rate under normal conditions
Variability	Can be influenced by physical activity, stress, and health conditions	Can show variations due to peripheral vascular conditions or irregular heart rhythms
Relevance to Health	Indicates overall heart function and efficiency	Provides information on how well blood is being circulated through the arteries
Situational Variations	May not show irregularities if the heart rhythm is abnormal	Can differ from heart rate in cases of arrhythmias or vascular issues

Conclusion

To sum up, the heart rate and pulse rate are terms that are rather similar but have differences in the sources of measurement and possible fluctuations. Heart rate is defined as the number of heartbeats in one minute stands for the function of the heart while pulse rate is the number of beats in one minute felt at arterial point and may also be different in some peripheral conditions or irregular heart rate. Both rates should be maintained under control since their ratios can unveil the cardiovascular risk factors that can provoke dangerous conditions. Monitoring of the status is recommended to identify possible health issues and, if heart and vascular differences or signs appear, it is necessary to consult a healthcare provider promptly for proper management.