Heart Rates & Irregular Pulse

HEART RATES

Most digital blood pressure monitors also measure heart rate. The heart is a muscle about the size of your fist which pumps blood around your body at about 70 beats per minute.  Heart rates below 60bpm are referred to as bradycardia, and heart rates above 100bpm are called tachycardia.

IRREGULAR PULSE

An irregular pulse could be a sign that you have an abnormal heart rhythm, luckily most of our digital blood pressure monitors have an irregular pulse indicator on the display. Atrial fibrillation is one of the most common forms of abnormal heart rhythms and a major cause of stroke. If your pulse is irregular or you are worried about your pulse you should make an appointment to see your GP.

Atrial fibrillation can increase the risk of a blood clot forming inside the chambers of the heart which can lead to a stroke. Having atrial fibrillation can increase the risk of stroke by around four to five times. An anticoagulant is the most effective treatment to reduce the risk of stroke for people with atrial fibrillation. Some symptoms of the condition include palpitations, tiredness, shortness of breath, dizziness or feeling faint. However some people only have mild symptoms, while other people have no symptoms at all.