The pulse is the number of heartbeats per minute.
Alternative NamesHeart rate; Heart beat
How the test is performedThe pulse is measured at the:
In these areas, an artery passes close to the skin.
To measure the pulse at the wrist, place the index and middle finger over the underside of the opposite wrist, below the base of the thumb. Press firmly with flat fingers until you feel the pulse.
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. Press firmly until you locate the pulse.
Once you find the pulse, count the beats for 1 full minute, or for 30 seconds and multiply by 2. This will give the beats per minute.
How to prepare for the testTo 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 feelThere is a slight pressure from the fingers.
Why the test is performedMeasuring the pulse can give very important information about your health. Any change from normal heart rate can indicate a medical condition. Fast pulse may signal an infection or dehydration. In emergency situations, the pulse rate can help determine if the patient's heart is pumping.
The pulse measurement has other uses as well. During exercise or immediately after exercise, the pulse rate can give information about your fitness level and health.
Normal ValuesFor resting heart rate:
Resting heart rates that are consistently high (tachycardia) may indicate a problem, and you should consult a health care provider. Discuss resting heart rates that are below the normal values (bradycardia) with your health care provider.
Also, discuss a pulse that is very firm (bounding pulse) and that lasts for more than a few minutes with your health care provider. An irregular pulsecan also indicate a problem.
A pulse that is hard to feel may indicate blockages in the artery. These blockages are common in people with Diabetes or atherosclerosisfrom high cholesterol. Your health care provider may order a test known as a Doppler study to evaluate this potentially serious situation.
See also: Heartbeat sensations
ReferencesBernstein D. History and physical evaluation. In: Kliegman RM, Behrman RE, Jenson HB, Stanton BF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 422.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 01/23/2012
A.D.A.M. Editorial Team: David Zieve, MD, MHA, and David R. Eltz. Previously reviewed by Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine (1/31/2011).
This is often called a "pulse".This is often called a "pulse".This is often called a "pulse".This is often called a "pulse".
gram pulse is a pulse which is yellow in colour when a gram is broken it separate itself into two parts and we eat it and named it gram pulse
A pulse plethysmograph is also known as a pulse volume recorder. A pulse plethysmograph measures the oxygen saturation level or SpO2.
When it came to fashion, she always had her finger on the pulse.
The doctor took his pulse and was glad to know he was alive. You can get a pulse from a number of different places on your body, like at your wrist.
The neck pulse is the corotid pulse; the wrist pulse is the radial pulse; the arm pulse is the brachial pulse. it seems that the pulses are named according to the artery palpated; therefore, your thumb pulse must be your princeps pollicis pulse. this is an educated guess.
A hamster pulse is the pulse of a hamster.
Pulse width mod, pulse amplitude mod, pulse position mod, pulse code mod.
Temporal, Radial, Dorsalis Pedis, Anterior Tibial, Apical pulse, Ulnar pulse, brachial pulse, Carotid pulse, Femoral pulse, Popliteal pulse, Posterior Tibialis pulse.
apical pulse is actually the heartbeat
Measure the pulse in the wrist area, radial pulse.
it is called the femoral pulse.
the following Pulse location are? 1. Apical pulse 2. Radial pulse 3. Brachial pulse 4. Apical-radial pulse
This is often called a "pulse".This is often called a "pulse".This is often called a "pulse".This is often called a "pulse".
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Tibial pulse or more technically the Tibialis posterior pulse.
A pulse