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The pulse measurement is an easy way to count heartbeats and can be done by feeling the radial and carotid arteries. To take an accurate radial pulse, use only the first two fingers of the hand and count the beats for 10-15 seconds, then multiply by six or four to determine the heart rate count. This can be useful for determining resting or active heart rate, or for checking the heart rate of unconscious patients in hospitals.
When the heart beats, the arteries pulsate simultaneously. Some of these arteries such as the radial and carotid arteries can be felt easily, while others are too deep in the body to be accessible. This pulse measurement is an easy way to count your heartbeats and can be useful for determining things like your resting or active heart rate.
As mentioned, two of the most common places to measure heart rate are the carotid arteries, which are found on the sides of the neck, and the radial arteries. The pulsation of the radial arteries can be felt within the wrist. A good way to find it is to use the index and middle fingers of the opposite hand. Follow the thumb line down until you reach the wrist. People will notice the bones on the wrist just below the thumb. Once these bones have passed, a small area of soft tissue is reached and the radial pulse should be noted. This is about an inch to a half inch (2.54cm-1.27cm) below where the hand meets the wrist on the thumb side, not directly in the middle of the wrist.
When people catch a radial pulse, they make the common mistake of gripping the wrist with their fingers and thumb. This can make it difficult to try and count your pulse, because your thumb is also throbbing. Especially when taking someone else’s pulse, it’s important to use only the first two fingers of your hand. Pressing too hard can be another mistake, as this could affect the pulsation. When you have difficulty finding a radial pulse, consider trying to find the pulse of one of the carotid arteries instead.
To take an accurate radial pulse, a person will need access to a clock or watch with a second hand. People aim to count the number of beats in a single minute, but usually this can be at least estimated by counting the beats for 10-15 seconds. The counted beats are then multiplied by six or four, respectively, to determine the appropriate minute heart rate count. Alternatively, some people take a radial pulse for six seconds and multiply the beats by 10. This may be a little less accurate, and some count the pulse for a full sixty seconds to get the best beats per minute count ( BPM).
There are several reasons people might want to get a radial pulse. They might determine their resting heart rate according to doctor’s orders, or alternatively they might exercise and try to determine if they’ve reached the optimal heart rate for aerobic exercise. Alternatively, people may need the pulse of others who are unconscious, and this is a common procedure when taking vital signs in hospitals to check heart rate.
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