How should you determine whether a murmur is systolic or diastolic?

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Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Timing of a murmur is crucial for identification. The carotid pulse should be used because there is a delay in the radial pulse relative to cardiac events, which can lead to error. Some clinicians can estimate timing by the relative length of systole and diastole, but this method is not reliable at faster heart rates. A bedside monitor is not always available, nor are all designed to correlate in time with the actual pulse.

How Should You Determine Whether a Murmur Is Systolic or Diastolic