• Thready Pulse Sound
• Thready Pulse Meaning

I was asked, “Would you describe that pulse as thready?”

A thready pulse is also known as weak pulse. When the pulse cannot be feel with the mild pressure on arteries then it is a thready pulse. As pulse is defined as the pressure of blood generated with one beat. The normal pulse rate is from 60 to 100 beats per minute and thready pulse is associated with low blood pressure i.e. The pulse rate is rapid and the pulse wave is small and disappears quickly. This is seen in shock especially cardiogenic. Waterhammer Pulse. Waterhammer pulse is a large bounding pulse associated with an increased stroke volume of the left ventricle and a decrease in the peripheral resistance, leading to wide pulse pressure.

I have never had a good grasp of what is meant by “thready” or “bounding” as those terms seem very subjective. I think most EMS professionals could come to agreement on what fast, slow, regular, or irregular means. But I have yet to come to a good understanding of what is meant by thready, bounding, or even strong. Even weak and strong seem like they could be a function of palpation and proximity of the radial artery to the skin.

Low blood pressure due to decrease in cardiac output. A rapid, weak, thready pulse due to decreased circulation combined with tachycardia. Cool, clammy, and mottled skin (cutis marmorata) due to vasoconstriction and subsequent hypoperfusion of the skin. Distended jugular veins due to increased jugular venous pressure.

How do you define thready or bounding to a new EMT or paramedic student?

Patient discussion about thready pulse

Q. my wife feels weak. her pulse is only 45. What should we do

Thready Pulse Sound

Thready Pulse Meaning