Normal Jugular Venous Pressure

The jugular venous pulse can be used to measure right atrial pressure. Normal right atrial pressure is less than 8 cm H2O (via exam) or less than 6 mm Hg (via direct measurement). The ability to recognize normal right atrial pressure at the bedside is critical in a variety of clinical contexts.

 

Patient 1:

A healthy young woman volunteered to have her neck examined. She has a normal jugular venous pressure and waveform.

*It may be easier to appreciate this video by slowing it down to half speed (click the gear icon in the bottom right corner of the video)

Normal Jugular Venous Pressure

Annotated

Patient 2:

A healthy young woman volunteered to have her neck examined. She has a normal jugular venous pressure and waveform.

*It may be easier to appreciate this video by slowing it down to half speed (click the gear icon in the bottom right corner of the video)

Normal JVP

Annotated

Patient 3:

This young patient was admitted to the hospital for an unrelated condition. She was noted to have a normal jugular venous pressure and waveform. 

*It may be easier to appreciate this video by slowing it down to half speed (click the gear icon in the bottom right corner of the video)

JVP with Q tip

Annotated

Patient 4:

This is a healthy team member who is demonstrating his own normal jugular venous pulse.