How to Check Your Pulse

Checking your pulse allows you to determine your heart rate without any special equipment. This can be useful if you're trying to lose weight or you have a heart condition. Read on to find out how to easily and painlessly check your own pulse.

Steps

    1
    Use your fingers when finding a pulse. Don't use your thumb when finding it, as it has its own pulse.

        Find the radial pulse. This is also known as the pulse on the inside of the wrist. Use the pads of three fingers. Place these just below the wrist creases at the base of the thumb. Press lightly until you feel a pulse (blood pulsing under your fingers). If necessary, move fingers around until you feel the pulse.
        Alternatively find the carotid pulse. Alternatively, to feel a pulse on the side of the neck, place two fingers, preferably your index and middle finger, in the hollow between the windpipe and the large muscle in the neck. Press lightly until you feel a pulse.
    2
    Check and record the rate, strength and rhythm. Use a watch or clock with a second hand. Make a note of the rate of the pulse, which is the number of beats per minute. Check the strength of the pulse to see if it is strong or weak and if the rhythm is regular or irregular.

        If you don't have a watch or a clock around, the Cleveland Clinic Health System recommends counting the beats you feel for 15 seconds and multiplying this by four to get your heart rate per minute:

            Your pulse is x (beats in 15 seconds) x 4 = y (your pulse)[1] You can count beats for 30 seconds and multiply by 2.

Normal, Maximum And Target Heart Rates

    1
    Normal heart rate. This is your heart rate when you are at rest.

        For children under age 18, normal heart rate is 70-100 beats per minute.
        For adults, normal heart rate is 60-100 beats per minute.
    2
    Maximum heart rate. This is the highest your pulse rate can get. To find yours, follow this formula: 220-(your age)=(predicted maximum heart rate)

    3
    Target heart rate. This is 60 to 85 percent of your maximum heart rate. This is usually accomplished through exercise.

What To Do If You Can't Find Your Pulse

    1
    Use your fingertips instead of having your fingers lay across your wrist. Put them in different places and stop in each location for five seconds.

    2
    Vary the pressure of the fingertips on your wrist. You may need to lighten up or press harder to feel your pulse.

    3
    Hold your arm pointing down towards the floor.




Tips

    To measure your relaxed heart rate, try lying down on the floor for one minute before taking your pulse.
    You can also take your pulse at your temple or chest, but these methods are far less common.
    If there are any irregularities in your pulse, seek medical advice as soon as possible.

    If you're taking your pulse during exercise, keep your feet moving as you do so or blood might accumulate in your extremities.

Warnings

    If you notice skipped beats while doing this procedure, seek medical attention.
    Do not palpate both carotid arteries on your neck simultaneously as it will decrease the blood circulation to the brain.

    If you can obviously tell that your heartbeat is irregular as well as very fast, follow up with medical attention.
    Do not press too hard on your neck, as it can stimulate a reflex mechanism that can slow down the heart.