What it means
The carotid pulse is felt beside the windpipe, and it is the pulse checked in an unresponsive adult during CPR. Plaque in these arteries (carotid artery disease) raises the risk of stroke and can be removed with surgery (carotid endarterectomy).
For the nurse
Feel only one carotid pulse at a time, and press gently, so blood flow to the brain is not reduced.
At a glance
| Spanish | carótida |
|---|
Related terms
cardiopulmonary resuscitation
Emergency chest compressions, with or without rescue breaths, to keep blood flowing when the heart has stopped.
artery
A blood vessel that takes blood from the heart out to the body.
atherosclerosis
A buildup of fatty deposits (plaque) inside the walls of the arteries.