What is pulse rate?
The heart pumps blood around the entire body. The rate at which it carries out this action is called the heart rate. The heart rate can be determined by counting the pulse rate. This is because pulse rate and heart rate is the same thing. Only pulse rate can be measured at different parts of the body. These include on the neck, the wrist, the top or inner region of the foot, behind the knees, around the groin, and the temples. These six regions are those where an artery is present very close to the skin surface and presses against a bone. Hence, a person can easily feel the pulse in these regions each time the heart performs its pumping action and the blood flows through these arteries.
A doctor can measure a patient's heart rate by using a stethoscope to listen to his or her heartbeat and hence count the beats in a minute. Alternately, he can also measure the heart rate (or pulse rate) by placing his fingers on the patient's wrist and counting the pulses per minute.
Normal pulse rate
A normal adult human being has a pulse rate in between 60 to 100 beats in a minute at rest. The perfect time to check your pulse for the most accurate results is when you wake up (i.e. just before you leave your bed). On the other hand, you can also get a good estimate of your resting pulse rate when you have been sitting for at least 10 minutes. After exercising, a person's pulse rate can range between 150 to 200 beats every minute.
Infants and young children have a higher pulse rate as compared to adult human beings. Their pulse rate can correspond to an adult's pulse rate just after strenuous exercise. This is nothing to worry about, as this rate is normal for the particular age group. The resting pulse rate for athletes, however, is lower than the normal pulse rate of an adult. If a person notices that his or her pulse rate is higher than the normal, then he/she should visit the doctor, as this can be an indication of a health problem.
Measuring pulse rate
To measure your pulse rate follow these steps:
? Place your first three fingers of the left hand on your right hand's wrist.
? Locate your pulse. You will find it somewhere around the base of your thumb.
? Now, start counting the pulses. Do this for one minute.
This is your heartbeat per min i.e. your pulse rate.
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