Post by annelieseRN on Jan 22, 2013 12:40:45 GMT -5
Peridoxical pulse is an abnormal variation in the pulse during respiration. It becomes weaker as one inhales and stronger as on exhales.
Paradoxocal pulse is a symptom of cardiac tamponade, the most serious symptom of pericarditis, is caused by accumulation of fluid or blood between the two layers of the pericardium. The accumulating fluid or blood puts pressure on the heart, interfering with its ability to pump blood.
As a result, when a person breathes in, blood pressure may fall rapidly to abnormally low levels and the pulse may correspondingly weaken. When a person breathes out, blood pressure increases and the pulse becomes stronger. This exaggeration in the variation in blood pressure and pulse that occurs with breathing is called a paradoxical pulse.
Paradoxocal pulse is a symptom of cardiac tamponade, the most serious symptom of pericarditis, is caused by accumulation of fluid or blood between the two layers of the pericardium. The accumulating fluid or blood puts pressure on the heart, interfering with its ability to pump blood.
As a result, when a person breathes in, blood pressure may fall rapidly to abnormally low levels and the pulse may correspondingly weaken. When a person breathes out, blood pressure increases and the pulse becomes stronger. This exaggeration in the variation in blood pressure and pulse that occurs with breathing is called a paradoxical pulse.