The autonomic nervous system regulates the pulse rate involuntarily through the sinoatrial node, the heart's natural pacemaker.
Specifically, the parasympathetic system releases acetylcholine through the vagus nerve, reducing the heart rate and contractions.
In contrast, the sympathetic system releases norepinephrine, increasing the heart rate and contractions.
The characteristics of a pulse include the rate, the rhythm, the volume, and equality.
The pulse rate is an essential indicator that determines the heart's efficiency. It measures how many times the heart beats in a minute.
An increase in the pulse rate is termed tachycardia; bradycardia is a decrease in the pulse rate.
The pulse rhythm is an equal interval between the contraction of the ventricles.
An interval interrupted by an early, late, or missed beat indicates an abnormal rhythm called dysrhythmia.
The pulse volume is the amount of blood pushed against the arterial wall, graded as a strong, weak, thready, or bounding pulse.
Equality determines whether the pulse characteristics, including rate, rhythm, and volume, are similar on both sides of the body.