heart rate and pulse pressure

 Q: Bradycardia ______________ the pulse pressure? (pick one)

A) decreases 

B) increases 

Answer: B

The definition of pulse pressure is systolic blood pressure minus the diastolic pressure. Many factors affect the value of pulse pressure including age, gender, height, genetic predisposition, pathologies affecting systolic and diastolic blood pressure. 

In ICU bradycardia or tachycardia is a common occurrence. Slow heart rate tends to result in greater pulse pressure.

#cardiology

#hemodynamics

References:

1. Pastor-Barriuso R, Banegas JR, Damián J, et al. Systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and pulse pressure: an evaluation of their joint effect on mortality. Ann Intern Med 2003; 139:731.

2. Dart AM, Kingwell BA. Pulse pressure--a review of mechanisms and clinical relevance. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2001 Mar 15;37(4):975-84. doi: 10.1016/s0735-1097(01)01108-1. PMID: 11263624.