Emotional triggersĪ person’s heart rate increases in response to emotional triggers, such as stress and anxiety. As a result, the blood flow reroutes to the skin, placing greater demands on the heart, and this increases the apical pulse. When a person is in a hot, humid environment, their body is less efficient at getting rid of excess body heat. When cool air surrounds a person, their body naturally radiates heat. Air temperature and humidityĮnvironmental factors, such as air temperature and humidity, also affect the apical pulse. The reason for this is that the heart must work harder to pump oxygenated blood around the body. Some factors that may affect the apical pulse include: Physical activityĪ person’s pulse increases during moderate-to-intense physical activity. The heart rate varies in response to physical, environmental, and emotional triggers. a chest X-ray, which uses electromagnetic waves to create detailed images of the heartĪ doctor may recommend genetic testing if they suspect that a person has familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy or another type of inherited heart disease.an echocardiogram, or echo, which uses high frequency sound waves to create moving images of the heart.an electrocardiogram (EKG), which measures the speed and rhythm of a person’s heartbeat.If the apical pulse is abnormal, the doctor may order one or more of the following tests: Once the doctor has found the apical pulse, they will track the number of pulsations or “lub-dubs” that the heart makes in 1 minute. The PMI is in the space between the fifth and sixth ribs on the left side of the body. They can also feel the apical pulse at the point of maximal impulse (PMI). The doctor will place a stethoscope on the left side of the breastbone, over the apex of the heart. Apical pulse measurements usually take place while a person is either sitting or lying down.
