Pulse - weak or absent

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Neck pulse

Weak pulse; Absent pulse

Follow the treatment your health care provider prescribes. CPR may be necessary.

Call your health care provider if there is any sudden, severe, or long-lasting decrease in the pulse quality or rate, particularly when there are also other symptoms.

Shock is a life-threatening condition. Seek immediate medical help if you think someone has gone into shock. Start CPR, if needed.

A loss of consciousness or disorientation suggests that there is not enough blood getting to the brain. Seek medical help immediately.

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Your medical provider will take a medical history, do a physical exam, and ask questions such as:

• 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 present?

Physical examination may include monitoring 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
• Blood studies (CBC or blood differential)
• Doppler ultrasonography
• Electrocardiography (ECG)
• Echocardiography
• X-rays of the chest

Review Date: 02/20/2011
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).