Pulse - weak or absent

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Neck pulse

Overview

Treatment

Pulse - weak or absent

Alternative Names:

Weak pulse; Absent pulse

Home Care:

Follow the treatment prescribed by your health care provider. CPR may be necessary!

Call your health care provider if:

There is any sudden, severe, or persistent decrease in the pulse quality or rate, particularly when accompanied by other symptoms.
Shock is suspected. This can be life-threatening. Take emergency measures immediately!

What to expect at your health care provider's office:

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

Review Date: 2/9/2005
Reviewed By: Thomas A. Owens, M.D., Departments of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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