About this topic
Your heart rate is the number of times your heart beats in a minute. Each time your heart beats, it pushes blood through your arteries in your body. Your pulse rate is how many times each minute the blood pushes against the artery when the heart beats. You can feel your pulse rate any place there is an artery near the skin, like in your wrist or your neck. ‚
General
- Two common places where people check their pulse is in the wrist or in the neck.
- To check your pulse in your wrist ¢ ˆ ’ Turn your hand so it is palm up. Place the tips of your first and second fingers on your wrist, just below the base of your thumb.
- To check your pulse in your neck ¢ ˆ ’ Place the tips of your fingers in the hollow part in the side of your neck, at the base of your jaw. This is just to the side of your Adam 's apple.
- Have a watch or clock with a secondhand where you can see it easily.
- Press lightly with your fingers until you feel the blood pulsing through the artery. You may need to move your fingers around a little until you are able to feel your pulse.
- Count your pulse for 1 full minute. If your doctor says it is OK, you can also count your pulse for 30 seconds and multiply this number by 2 to get your pulse per minute.
What will the results be?
Your pulse rate is based on if you are resting or exercising and how old you are. Your heart rate can also change if you are sick or have health problems. Most adults have a resting pulse rate between 60 and 100 beats per minute. Children and babies have a faster heart rate. ‚
Will there be any other care needed?
Sometimes, your doctor will ask you to check and see if your pulse is regular. You may be able to feel if your heart is skipping beats or has an irregular rhythm. ‚
What problems could happen?
You may feel dizzy if you press too hard when taking your pulse in your neck. You may also feel dizzy or faint if you press on the pulse on both sides of your neck at the same time. ‚
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Pulse rate below 40 or higher than 120
- Pulse rate not regular
Where can I learn more?
NHS Choices ‚
http://www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/2024.aspx?CategoryID=52 ‚
Veterans Association ‚
http://www.move.va.gov/docs/NewHandouts/PhysicalActivity/P09_HowToTakeYourHeartRate.pdf ‚
Last Reviewed Date
2015-12-14 ‚
List_set bdysylist
- Cardiovascular
- Healthy Living
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care provider 's advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2016 Wolters Kluwer Clinical Drug Information, Inc. and its affiliates and/or licensors. All rights reserved. ‚