PULSE PRESSURE Meaning and
Definition
-
Pulse pressure is a term used in medical and physiological contexts to describe the difference between systolic and diastolic blood pressure. It is defined as the numerical value obtained by subtracting the diastolic pressure measurement from the systolic pressure measurement.
Blood pressure is the force exerted by the circulating blood on the walls of blood vessels. It is commonly measured using a blood pressure cuff and presented as two numbers: systolic pressure over diastolic pressure. The systolic pressure represents the maximum pressure exerted on the arterial walls during the contraction of the heart, while the diastolic pressure represents the minimum pressure when the heart is at rest between beats.
Pulse pressure provides important information regarding the health and function of the cardiovascular system. An increase in pulse pressure may indicate stiffening of the arterial walls, reduced elasticity, or increased stroke volume (the amount of blood pumped per heartbeat). This can be observed in conditions like aortic regurgitation, hyperthyroidism, or high blood pressure.
Conversely, a decrease in pulse pressure may suggest a decrease in stroke volume or aortic stenosis (narrowing of the aortic valve), among other conditions. Pulse pressure can be influenced by various factors including age, gender, fitness level, and overall cardiovascular health.
In summary, pulse pressure provides valuable insight into cardiovascular function and can be used by healthcare professionals to evaluate the health status of an individual and identify potential underlying medical conditions.
Common Misspellings for PULSE PRESSURE
- oulse pressure
- lulse pressure
- -ulse pressure
- 0ulse pressure
- pylse pressure
- phlse pressure
- pjlse pressure
- pilse pressure
- p8lse pressure
- p7lse pressure
- pukse pressure
- pupse pressure
- puose pressure
- pulae pressure
- pulze pressure
- pulxe pressure
- pulde pressure
- pulee pressure
- pulwe pressure
- pulsw pressure
Etymology of PULSE PRESSURE
The etymology of the word "pulse pressure" can be understood by breaking down the two components: "pulse" and "pressure".
1. Pulse: The term "pulse" comes from the Latin word "pulsus", which means "a beating, throbbing, or oscillation". It originated from the verb "pellere", which means "to beat or strike". In English, "pulse" refers to the rhythmic throbbing of the arteries caused by the contractions of the heart.
2. Pressure: The word "pressure" is derived from the Latin word "pressura", which means "to press or squeeze". It comes from the verb "premere", meaning "to press, to push against". "Pressure" refers to the force exerted on a surface through contact with another object.
