KNOW YOUR PULSE
Being aware of your pulse is important because it may indicate an abnormal heart rate or rhythm. It is a good
idea to try taking your pulse at various points throughout the day (before and after various activities). A normal
pulse is between 60 and 100 beats per minute.
See your doctor if your pulse
■ Seems to be racing some or most of the time and you are feeling unwell ■ Feels irregular ("jumping around"), even if you do not feel unwell
■ Seems to be slow some or most of the time and you are feeling unwell ■ Is a persistent rate above 120 or below 40 beats per minute
KNOW YOUR PULSE IN 4 STEPS
1
To assess your resting pulse rate in your wrist, sit
down for 5 minutes beforehand. Remember that any
stimulants taken before the reading will affect the
rate (such as caffeine or nicotine). You will need a
watch or clock with a second hand.
2
3
Take off your watch and hold your
left or right hand out with your
palm facing up and your elbow
slightly bent.
With your other hand, place your index and middle fingers on your wrist, at the
base of your thumb. Your fingers should sit between the bone on the edge of your
wrist and the stringy tendon attached to your thumb (as shown in the image). You
may need to move your fingers around a little to find the
pulse. Keep firm pressure on your wrist with your fingers
Tendon
in order to feel your pulse.
4
Count for 30 seconds,
and multiply by 2 to get
your heart rate in beats
per minute. If your heart
rhythm is irregular, you
should count for 1 minute and not multiply.
Pulse
Bone at
edge of
wrist
You can have your pulse checked by your local
HeartCaring hospital. Contact them today.
Text and images courtesy of Arrhythmia Alliance
The Heart Rhythm Charity
www.aa-internaƟonal.org
© 2013 Spirit Health Group. All rights reserved.