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How to Check Your Pulse: 10 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow

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How to Check Your Pulse: 10 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow

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Your pulse tells how fast your heart is beating. It also can signal how well your heart is working and even your health and fitness level. It may sound difficult, but checking your pulse is easy and doesn't require any special equipment. You can check your pulse by hand or by using an electronic pulse meter or heart rate monitor.

1. Find a timepiece to measure while you count your heartbeats. Gather a watch or find a nearby clock. You'll need to watch the time as you count your heartbeats. Have a digital or analog watch that has a second hand handy or find a nearby clock so that you can see the time to get the correct pulse rate.

You can also use a stopwatch or the timer on your phone.

2. Decide where you want to take your pulse. Choose to check your pulse either on your neck or your wrist. Do whichever feels most comfortable for you or where you can easily find your pulse. You can also take your pulse on the following spots, though it may be more difficult to detect your heartbeat on them:

3. Place your fingers in the proper position to feel your pulse. Press firmly but not so hard that you can no longer feel the pulse. Put your index and third finger on either side of your neck to the side of your windpipe to find the carotid artery. If you're measuring on your wrist, set two fingers between the bone and tendon over your radial artery.

Be careful not to press to hard over the carotid artery, as this can cause you to become lightheaded.

Find your radial artery by drawing a line with your finger from below your thumb to your wrist. Then feel for the spot between the wrist bone and tendon for a slight pumping motion.

Place the flat part of your finger on your wrist or neck to get the most accurate reading. Avoid using your fingertips or your thumb.

4. Watch your timepiece. Decide if you are going to take your pulse for 10, 15, 30, or 60 seconds. Take out your timepiece so you can do this while you're counting how many times your heartbeats.

5. Count your heartbeats. When the clock reaches zero, start counting how many times you feel a pulse or beat on your neck or wrist. Keep counting until your timepiece reaches the number of seconds you chose to tally your heartbeats.

Let yourself rest for five minutes before taking your pulse to get the most accurate resting heart rate reading. You can also take your pulse while you're exercising to measure how hard you are exercising.

6. Calculate your pulse. Note or remember how many heartbeats you counted. Your pulse rate is measured in beats per minute.

For example, if you counted 41 for 30 seconds, double it to get 82 beats per minute. If you counted for 10 seconds, multiply the beats counted by 6, and if you counted for 15 seconds, multiply by 4.

1. Get an electronic pulse meter. Use an electronic pulse meter if you have trouble measuring your pulse by hand, you want to check during exercise without stopping, or if you want a very accurate reading. Purchase or rent one at a local medical supply store or another large retailer. Use a smart watch or download a smartphone app to measure your pulse if you have them. Some features to look for include:

Having a cuff or strap that fits you

Having a display that is easy to read

Fitting your needs and budget

Note that using an app for pulse measurements is not always accurate.

2. Attach the monitor to yourself. Read your product instructions. Then place the monitor on the proper spot to check your pulse. Most monitors are attached at the chest, finger or wrist.

3. Turn on the monitor power and start it. When you're ready to check your pulse, activate your monitor. Make sure the numbers read "OO" to start so that you get an accurate reading.

4. Read your results. Your monitor will automatically stop and display the number when it's doing with your reading. Check the display and note what you pulse rate is for this specific reading.

Save any data or measurements from your reading to track your pulse rate over time.

Add New Question

If I suspect I am experiencing A-fib, what should my pulse exhibit?

Jennifer Boidy is a Registered Nurse in Maryland. She received her Associate of Science in Nursing from Carroll Community College in 2012.

Atrial fibrillation (or flutter) is a type of arrythmia (irregular heart beat) that usually exhibits as a fast heart rate of over 100 bpm. The pulse can be irregular as well. Sometimes, with Afib, the heart beat feels like it is racing, fluttering, or even too slow. You may or may not have symptoms, which include heart palpitations, confusion, dizziness or lightheadedness, fainting, fatigue, or shortness of breath. These symptoms may come and go. If you suspect you have an arrythmia, and especially if you are experiencing any symptoms, call your doctor. You may require medical treatment.

Should my pulse be the same on my wrist as it is on my neck?

Jennifer Boidy is a Registered Nurse in Maryland. She received her Associate of Science in Nursing from Carroll Community College in 2012.

In a healthy person with no health issues, the carotid (neck) and radial (wrist) pulse rates will be the same. If the person is injured or ill with poor circulation or very low blood pressure, the radial pulse may be so faint it cannot be felt.

Is pulse rate directly related to blood pressure?

Dr. Erik Kramer is a Primary Care Physician at the University of Colorado, specializing in internal medicine, diabetes, and weight management. He received his Doctorate in Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) from the Touro University Nevada College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2012. Dr. Kramer is a Diplomate of the American Board of Obesity Medicine and is board certified.

Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine

They aren't directly related. When your heart rate rises, your blood pressure won't necessarily rise at the same rate. When your heart beats faster, healthy blood vessels dilate (expand) so that more blood can flow through easily.

If your heart rate is consistently less than 60 beats per minute and you're not a trained athlete, call your doctor, especially if you're experiencing symptoms such as dizziness, fainting, or shortness of breath.

Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine

This article was medically reviewed by Erik Kramer, DO, MPH. Dr. Erik Kramer is a Primary Care Physician at the University of Colorado, specializing in internal medicine, diabetes, and weight management. He received his Doctorate in Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) from the Touro University Nevada College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2012. Dr. Kramer is a Diplomate of the American Board of Obesity Medicine and is board certified. This article has been viewed 1,670,678 times.

Medical Disclaimer

The content of this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis, or treatment. You should always contact your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional before starting, changing, or stopping any kind of health treatment.

To check your pulse by hand, find a stopwatch, timer, or clock with a second hand. Then, gently press your index and third finger on your neck to the side of your windpipe. Once you feel your heartbeat, start your timer or keep an eye on your watch while you count the number of heartbeats for 30 seconds. Multiply your result by 2 to get beats per minute. For advice from our Medical reviewer on how to get your resting pulse versus active pulse, scroll down!

Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 1,670,678 times.

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Download Article Download Article Your pulse tells how fast your heart is beating. It also can signal how well your heart is working and even your health and fitness level. It may sound difficult, but checking your pulse is easy and doesn't require any special equipment.

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