BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuPulseHeart rate; Heart beatThe pulse is the number of heartbeats per minute. How the Test is Performed The pulse can be measured at areas where an artery passes close to the skin. These areas include the:Back of the knees Groin Neck Temple Top or inner side of the foot Wrist To measure the pulse at your wrist, place your index and middle finger over the underside of your opposite wrist, below the base of the thumb. Press with flat fingers until you feel the pulse.To measure the pulse on the neck, place the index and middle fingers just to the side of the Adam's apple, in the soft, hollow area. Press gently until you locate the pulse.Note: Sit or lie down before taking the neck pulse. The neck arteries in some people are sensitive to pressure. Fainting or slowing of the heartbeat can result. Also, do not take the pulses on both sides of the neck at the same time. Doing so can slow the flow of blood to the head and lead to fainting.Once you find the pulse, count the beats for 1 full minute. Or, count the beats for 30 seconds and multiply by 2. This will give the beats per minute. It is usually accurate to count the beats for shorter times such as 10 or 15 seconds and then multiply by 6 or 4 respectively. It is usually accurate to count the beats for shorter times, such as 10 or 15 seconds, and then multiply by 6 or 4 respectively. How to Prepare for the Test To determine the resting heart rate, you must have been resting for at least 10 minutes. Take the exercise heart rate while you are exercising. How the Test will Feel There is a slight pressure from the fingers. Why the Test is Performed Measuring the pulse gives important information about your health. Any change from your normal heart rate can indicate a health problem. Fast pulse may signal an infection or dehydration. In emergency situations, the pulse rate can help determine if the person's heart is pumping.DehydrationDehydration occurs when your body does not have as much water and fluids as it needs. Dehydration can be mild, moderate, or severe, based on how much...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Pulse measurement has other uses as well. During or immediately after exercise, the pulse rate gives information about your fitness level and health. Normal Results For resting heart rate:Newborns 0 to 1 month old: 70 to 190 beats per minute Infants 1 to 11 months old: 80 to 160 beats per minute Children 1 to 2 years old: 80 to 130 beats per minute Children 3 to 4 years old: 80 to 120 beats per minute Children 5 to 6 years old: 75 to 115 beats per minute Children 7 to 9 years old: 70 to 110 beats per minute Children 10 years and older, and adults (including seniors): 60 to 100 beats per minute Well-trained athletes: 40 to 60 beats per minute What Abnormal Results Mean Resting heart rates that are continually high (tachycardia) may mean a problem. Talk to your health care provider about this. Also discuss resting heart rates that are below the normal values (bradycardia).TachycardiaAn arrhythmia is a disorder of the heart rate (pulse) or heart rhythm. The heart can beat too fast (tachycardia), too slow (bradycardia), or irregul...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article BradycardiaAn arrhythmia is a disorder of the heart rate (pulse) or heart rhythm. The heart can beat too fast (tachycardia), too slow (bradycardia), or irregul...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article A pulse that is very firm (bounding pulse) and that lasts for more than a few minutes should be checked by your provider as well. An irregular pulse can also indicate a problem.Bounding pulseA bounding pulse is a strong throbbing felt over one of the arteries in the body. It is due to a forceful heartbeat.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Irregular pulsePalpitations are feelings or sensations that your heart is pounding or racing. They can be felt in your chest, throat, or neck. You may:Have an unpl...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article A pulse that is hard to locate may mean blockages in the artery. These blockages are common in people with diabetes or hardening of the artery from high cholesterol. Your provider may order a test known as a Doppler study to check the blockages.Doppler studyA duplex ultrasound is a test to see how blood moves through your arteries and veins.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Open ReferencesReferencesBernstein D. History and physical examination in cardiac evaluation. In: Kliegman RM, St Geme JW, Blum NJ, Shah SS, Tasker RC, Wilson KM, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 21st ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 449.Schriger DL. Approach to the patient with abnormal vital signs. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 7.AllVideoImagesTogTaking your carotid pulse - illustration The carotid arteries take oxygenated blood from the heart to the brain. The pulse from the carotids may be felt on either side of thefront of the neck just below the angle of the jaw. This rhythmic beat is caused by varying volumes of blood being pushed out of the heart toward the extremities.Taking your carotid pulseillustrationNeck pulse - illustration To measure the pulse on the neck, place the index and middle finger just to the side of the Adam's apple, in the soft hollow area. This pulse is felt in the common carotid artery.Neck pulseillustrationHow to take your pulse - illustration How to take your pulse. 1. Place the tips of your index and middle finger on the inside of your wrist below the base of your thumb. 2. Press lightly. You will feel the blood pulsing beneath your fingers. 3. Use a watch or clock with a second hand. Count the beats you feel for 1 minute. Or count the beats for 30 seconds and multiply by 2. This is also called your pulse rate.How to take your pulseillustrationRadial pulse - illustration Arteries carry oxygenated blood away from the heart to the tissues of the body. Veins carry blood depleted of oxygen from the same tissues back to the heart. The arteries are the vessels with the pulse, a rhythmic pushing of the blood in the heart followed by a refilling of the heart chamber. To determine heart rate, one counts the beats at a pulse point like the inside of the wrist for 10 seconds, and multiplies this number by 6. This is the per-minute total.Radial pulseillustrationTaking your carotid pulse - illustration The carotid arteries take oxygenated blood from the heart to the brain. The pulse from the carotids may be felt on either side of thefront of the neck just below the angle of the jaw. This rhythmic beat is caused by varying volumes of blood being pushed out of the heart toward the extremities.Taking your carotid pulseillustrationNeck pulse - illustration To measure the pulse on the neck, place the index and middle finger just to the side of the Adam's apple, in the soft hollow area. This pulse is felt in the common carotid artery.Neck pulseillustrationHow to take your pulse - illustration How to take your pulse. 1. Place the tips of your index and middle finger on the inside of your wrist below the base of your thumb. 2. Press lightly. You will feel the blood pulsing beneath your fingers. 3. Use a watch or clock with a second hand. Count the beats you feel for 1 minute. Or count the beats for 30 seconds and multiply by 2. This is also called your pulse rate.How to take your pulseillustrationRadial pulse - illustration Arteries carry oxygenated blood away from the heart to the tissues of the body. Veins carry blood depleted of oxygen from the same tissues back to the heart. The arteries are the vessels with the pulse, a rhythmic pushing of the blood in the heart followed by a refilling of the heart chamber. To determine heart rate, one counts the beats at a pulse point like the inside of the wrist for 10 seconds, and multiplies this number by 6. This is the per-minute total.Radial pulseillustration Tests for Pulse PulseRelated Information Pulse - bounding(Symptoms)Heart palpitations(Symptoms) Review Date: 2/2/2023 Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Clinical Professor, Department of Family Medicine, UW Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, or correctness of any translations made by a third-party service of the information provided herein into any other language. © 1997- A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. © 1997- All rights reserved. A.D.A.M. content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.Content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.
PulseHeart rate; Heart beatThe pulse is the number of heartbeats per minute. How the Test is Performed The pulse can be measured at areas where an artery passes close to the skin. These areas include the:Back of the knees Groin Neck Temple Top or inner side of the foot Wrist To measure the pulse at your wrist, place your index and middle finger over the underside of your opposite wrist, below the base of the thumb. Press with flat fingers until you feel the pulse.To measure the pulse on the neck, place the index and middle fingers just to the side of the Adam's apple, in the soft, hollow area. Press gently until you locate the pulse.Note: Sit or lie down before taking the neck pulse. The neck arteries in some people are sensitive to pressure. Fainting or slowing of the heartbeat can result. Also, do not take the pulses on both sides of the neck at the same time. Doing so can slow the flow of blood to the head and lead to fainting.Once you find the pulse, count the beats for 1 full minute. Or, count the beats for 30 seconds and multiply by 2. This will give the beats per minute. It is usually accurate to count the beats for shorter times such as 10 or 15 seconds and then multiply by 6 or 4 respectively. It is usually accurate to count the beats for shorter times, such as 10 or 15 seconds, and then multiply by 6 or 4 respectively. How to Prepare for the Test To determine the resting heart rate, you must have been resting for at least 10 minutes. Take the exercise heart rate while you are exercising. How the Test will Feel There is a slight pressure from the fingers. Why the Test is Performed Measuring the pulse gives important information about your health. Any change from your normal heart rate can indicate a health problem. Fast pulse may signal an infection or dehydration. In emergency situations, the pulse rate can help determine if the person's heart is pumping.DehydrationDehydration occurs when your body does not have as much water and fluids as it needs. Dehydration can be mild, moderate, or severe, based on how much...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Pulse measurement has other uses as well. During or immediately after exercise, the pulse rate gives information about your fitness level and health. Normal Results For resting heart rate:Newborns 0 to 1 month old: 70 to 190 beats per minute Infants 1 to 11 months old: 80 to 160 beats per minute Children 1 to 2 years old: 80 to 130 beats per minute Children 3 to 4 years old: 80 to 120 beats per minute Children 5 to 6 years old: 75 to 115 beats per minute Children 7 to 9 years old: 70 to 110 beats per minute Children 10 years and older, and adults (including seniors): 60 to 100 beats per minute Well-trained athletes: 40 to 60 beats per minute What Abnormal Results Mean Resting heart rates that are continually high (tachycardia) may mean a problem. Talk to your health care provider about this. Also discuss resting heart rates that are below the normal values (bradycardia).TachycardiaAn arrhythmia is a disorder of the heart rate (pulse) or heart rhythm. The heart can beat too fast (tachycardia), too slow (bradycardia), or irregul...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article BradycardiaAn arrhythmia is a disorder of the heart rate (pulse) or heart rhythm. The heart can beat too fast (tachycardia), too slow (bradycardia), or irregul...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article A pulse that is very firm (bounding pulse) and that lasts for more than a few minutes should be checked by your provider as well. An irregular pulse can also indicate a problem.Bounding pulseA bounding pulse is a strong throbbing felt over one of the arteries in the body. It is due to a forceful heartbeat.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Irregular pulsePalpitations are feelings or sensations that your heart is pounding or racing. They can be felt in your chest, throat, or neck. You may:Have an unpl...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article A pulse that is hard to locate may mean blockages in the artery. These blockages are common in people with diabetes or hardening of the artery from high cholesterol. Your provider may order a test known as a Doppler study to check the blockages.Doppler studyA duplex ultrasound is a test to see how blood moves through your arteries and veins.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Open ReferencesReferencesBernstein D. History and physical examination in cardiac evaluation. In: Kliegman RM, St Geme JW, Blum NJ, Shah SS, Tasker RC, Wilson KM, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 21st ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 449.Schriger DL. Approach to the patient with abnormal vital signs. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 7.