A pulse rate of 56 beats per minute can be normal in:
A. Elderly patients
B. Newborns
C. Athletic individuals
D. Hypertensive patients
ANS: C
Athletic individuals commonly have a low pulse rate because their heart is well-conditioned and physiologically more efficient. A strong heart has physiologically enlarged muscle chambers which contract slowly and efficiently deliver an adequate blood volume to the body with each contraction. In an elderly or untrained individual, bradycardia is more concerning. Although normal aging includes a decrease in SA node and AV node conduction, thus increasing the likelihood of bradycardia, sinus node pathology and heart blocks should be suspected in the elderly. Newborns have a normal pulse rate of 120 beats per minute. If the patient has hypertension, this does not decrease the heart rate.
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Indicate whether the statement is true or false