Pulse - weak or absent
Alternative Names
Weak pulse; Absent pulseHome Care
Follow the treatment prescribed by your health care provider. CPR may be necessary!
When to Contact a Medical Professional
Call your health care provider if there is any sudden, severe, or long-lasting decrease in the pulse quality or rate, particularly when accompanied by other symptoms.
Shock is a life-threatening condition. Seek immediately medical help if you think someone has gone into shock.
A loss of consciousness or disorientation suggests that there is not enough blood getting to the brain. Seek immediately medical help.
Your medical provider will obtain a medical history, do a physical exam, and ask questions like:
- Is the pulse weak?
- Is it absent?
- Is the pulse weak or absent in only one location?
- Is a major pulse weak or absent (for example, when checking the carotid pulse in the neck)?
- What other symptoms are also present?
Physical examination may include monitoring of the vital signs (pulse, rate of breathing, blood pressure). Emergency measures will be taken as necessary. Continued monitoring may be necessary.
Diagnostic tests may include:
- Aortography
- Arteriography such as extremity arteriography
- Doppler ultrasonography
- Blood studies (CBC or blood differential)
- ECG
- Echocardiography
- X-rays of the chest
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by
URAC, also known as the American
Accreditation HealthCare Commission. URAC's accreditation program is
the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and
accountability, verified by independent audit.
The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2005 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.