How Do I Check My Pulse?

Checking your pulse is easy and can be done in a few simple steps. This allows you to monitor your heart rate, which is crucial for assessing your overall health and fitness.

The easiest places to find your pulse are your wrist and neck.

• Wrist (Radial Artery): Place two fingers (your index and middle finger work best, as per the Mayo Clinic^1,2,3) between the bone and the tendon on the thumb side of your wrist. Avoid using your thumb, as you might confuse your own pulse with your patient's. Gently press until you feel a rhythmic beat. The Mayo Clinic suggests using the tip of your index and third finger to find the pulse in your radial artery.¹
• Neck (Carotid Artery): Gently press your index and middle fingers against the side of your neck, below your jawline, to feel your pulse. Avoid pressing too hard. Cleveland Clinic indicates that the wrist and neck are the easiest places to find a pulse.⁴

Other locations include your elbow (brachial artery) and the top of your foot.⁴

Counting Your Pulse

Once you've found your pulse:

1. Time it: Count the number of beats you feel for 30 seconds.^{5, 6} The NHS recommends using a watch or clock with a second hand.⁶ Some methods suggest counting for 15 seconds and multiplying by four for a total beats per minute.⁷
2. Calculate your heart rate: Multiply the number of beats you counted by two to get your heart rate in beats per minute (BPM).^{5, 6} This is because there are two 30-second intervals in a minute.

Tips for Accurate Readings

• Rest first: Sit or lie down for five minutes before checking your pulse to ensure an accurate reading, as activity can affect your heart rate.⁸
• Avoid stimulants: Refrain from smoking or consuming caffeine before checking your pulse, as these substances can elevate your heart rate.⁸
• Repeat the measurement: Take multiple readings and average them for a more accurate result.⁹

References:

1. Mayo Clinic: https://www.mayoclinic.org/how-to-take-pulse/art-20482581
2. Mayo Clinic: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/expert-answers/heart-rate/faq-20057979
3. (Reference from the provided text: Use the tip of your index and third finger to feel the pulse in your radial artery between your wrist bone and the tendon on the thumb side of your wrist.)
4. Cleveland Clinic: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/23918-how-to-take-your-pulse
5. (Reference from the provided text: Count each pulse you feel for 30 seconds. ... Double the number of pulses you counted.)
6. NHS: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/atrial-fibrillation/diagnosis/
7. Mass General Brigham: https://www.massgeneralbrigham.org/en/about/newsroom/articles/how-to-check-your-heart-rate
8. BHF: https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/tests/checking-your-pulse
9. Harvard Health: https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/want-to-check-your-heart-rate-heres-how