Taking a Pulse (Heart Rate)
Taking a Pulse (Heart Rate)
You can easily check your pulse on the inside of your wrist, below your thumb.
You can also check your pulse in the carotid artery. This is located in your neck, on either side of your windpipe. Be careful when checking your pulse in this location, especially if you are older than 65. If you press too hard, you may become lightheaded and fall.
ByHealthwise Staff
Primary Medical ReviewerE. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
Specialist Medical ReviewerThomas M. Bailey, MD - Family Medicine
Taking a Pulse (Heart Rate)
Checking your pulse on the wrist
You can easily check your pulse on the inside of your wrist, below your thumb.
- Gently place 2 fingers of your other hand on this artery.
- Do not use your thumb, because it has its own pulse that you may feel.
- Count the beats for 30 seconds, and then double the result to get the number of beats per minute.
Checking your pulse in the carotid artery
You can also check your pulse in the carotid artery. This is located in your neck, on either side of your windpipe. Be careful when checking your pulse in this location, especially if you are older than 65. If you press too hard, you may become lightheaded and fall.
ByHealthwise Staff
Primary Medical ReviewerE. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
Specialist Medical ReviewerThomas M. Bailey, MD - Family Medicine
Source...