Why do clinicians palpate the heart?

• A. To measure blood pressure
• B. To assess heart sounds only
• C. To feel thrills or heaves
• D. To evaluate oxygen saturation

Answer: (C)

Palpation of the precordium is used to feel for physical signs of cardiac activity. The main thing clinicians look for is thrills or heaves. A thrill is a palpable vibration over the chest wall that can accompany a loud or turbulent murmur, signaling significant valvular disease. A heave is a sustained lift of the chest wall indicating ventricular enlargement or hypertrophy. Palpation also helps locate the apical impulse (the point of maximal impulse) to assess left ventricular size and function. These findings come from the heart’s movements and blood flow and aren’t obtained by measuring blood pressure, listening to heart sounds, or checking oxygen saturation. Blood pressure is measured with a cuff, heart sounds require a stethoscope, and oxygen saturation is measured with a pulse oximeter.