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What Causes Abnormal Heart Rhythms?
Question: I have a heart rate app on my phone. I notice when i measure pulse in my finger, waves are not smooth, they have a notch. What is this? Is something wrong?
Brief Answer:
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome back on HCM!
I carefully reviewed your uploaded pictures and would like to confirm they are completely normal, compatible with your age.
A normal pulse waveform normally should not be smooth, because it is composed of two distinct waveforms: the first corresponds to the ejected wave and the second to the reflected wave. The junction between them is the moment of ejection time ending, which corresponds with aortic valve closure (dicrotic notch).
If the waveform becomes smooth (dicrotic notch absent), it should be considered abnormal, as it reflects the extension of the reflected wave even to the ejection time (premature starting of pulse reflection wave in systolic fase).
This is considered abnormal and corresponds to the pathological blood vessels walls stiffness.
So, you should be glad, as your blood vessels are acting in a healthy way (they are not stiff).
Coming to this point, what I would recommend you is go ahead, enjoy your life, keep being physically active and in the same time keep away blood vessels stiffness.
Hope to have definitely clarified your uncertainties regarding this issue!
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome back on HCM!
I carefully reviewed your uploaded pictures and would like to confirm they are completely normal, compatible with your age.
A normal pulse waveform normally should not be smooth, because it is composed of two distinct waveforms: the first corresponds to the ejected wave and the second to the reflected wave. The junction between them is the moment of ejection time ending, which corresponds with aortic valve closure (dicrotic notch).
If the waveform becomes smooth (dicrotic notch absent), it should be considered abnormal, as it reflects the extension of the reflected wave even to the ejection time (premature starting of pulse reflection wave in systolic fase).
This is considered abnormal and corresponds to the pathological blood vessels walls stiffness.
So, you should be glad, as your blood vessels are acting in a healthy way (they are not stiff).
Coming to this point, what I would recommend you is go ahead, enjoy your life, keep being physically active and in the same time keep away blood vessels stiffness.
Hope to have definitely clarified your uncertainties regarding this issue!
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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