Which pulse height does not fall with inspiration?

Which pulse height does not fall with inspiration?

• A. Carotid
• B. Jugular
• C. Both
• D. Neither

Answer: (A)

The main idea is how respiration affects different pulse types. Jugular venous pulse is very sensitive to intrathoracic pressure changes. When you inhale, intrathoracic pressure becomes more negative, which increases venous return to the right heart and lowers right atrial pressure. That causes the height of the jugular venous pulse to fall with inspiration (a normal inspiratory decline). The carotid pulse, however, reflects left ventricular ejection and arterial pressure, and in a healthy person its amplitude is not significantly altered by the breathing cycle. So its pulse height does not fall with inspiration. Therefore, the pulse height that does not fall with inspiration is the carotid pulse. The jugular venous pulse height does fall with inspiration.

The main idea is how respiration affects different pulse types. Jugular venous pulse is very sensitive to intrathoracic pressure changes. When you inhale, intrathoracic pressure becomes more negative, which increases venous return to the right heart and lowers right atrial pressure. That causes the height of the jugular venous pulse to fall with inspiration (a normal inspiratory decline).

The carotid pulse, however, reflects left ventricular ejection and arterial pressure, and in a healthy person its amplitude is not significantly altered by the breathing cycle. So its pulse height does not fall with inspiration.

Therefore, the pulse height that does not fall with inspiration is the carotid pulse. The jugular venous pulse height does fall with inspiration.