The apical pulse is a pulse point on the chest at the bottom tip (apex) of the heart. It is different from arterial pulse points because it allows healthcare providers to listen directly to the heart as it contracts and pumps out blood. By listening to the apical pulse with a stethoscope, healthcare providers can learn much about the heart, including its rate and rhythm. The apical pulse is also called the point of maximal impulse (PMI) and the apex beat.
The apical pulse is typically measured by placing a stethoscope just below the left nipple in the intercostal space between the fifth and sixth ribs over the apex of the heart. The healthcare provider listens carefully for the heartbeat and counts the pulse for one full minute. The apical pulse rate is typically considered abnormal in an adult if its above 100 beats per minute (bpm) or below 60 bpm.
The apical pulse provides useful information about a person’s cardiac health. A doctor will usually measure the apical pulse as part of a cardiac exam. A person may receive a cardiac exam if they have a family history of heart disease or have been experiencing symptoms of heart disease. An irregular apical pulse may indicate an underlying heart condition. However, a doctor cannot make an official diagnosis based on a person’s apical pulse alone.
