Pulse is one of the vital signs of life. It is a “breath” that is caused by the arteries as they push the blood. The artery expands and contracts in a rhythmic fashion to pump blood through out the body. The pulse rate is an indication that the heart is working and the organism has life. This is the reason pulse rate is also called as heart rate.

There are many places in the human body where one can check for a pulse. The most common place is the wrist. This is also called as radial pulse because the pulse is taken over the radial artery of the wrist. Other places where a place can be checked are at the neck and heart. This is usually done with the help of a stethoscope. http://www.drugs.com/cg/how-to-take-a-pulse.html

Taking a pulse is very important because it says a lot about the health of a patient. It can be done in ordinary as well as emergency situations to assess the patient and to determine what must be done, if the pulse is abnormal. Therefore, it is imperative that every individual knows to do this most important function. This article will teach you how to take a pulse.

Radial pulse is the pulse taken at the wrist. You will need a watch or a stop clock to count the number of pulses and the other hand to hold the wrist of one hand. To start with, you must slightly bend your below and keep the palm facing the front. The palm should be positioned slightly upwards of the forearm and elbow. Take the index and middle finger of the other hand and look for the radial artery on the wrist. It is not very difficult to find because it is very prominent and you can in fact see it throbbing up and down if you look very minutely. After identifying the artery, keep your index and middle finger on the artery to count the pulse. You must never keep a thumb on the artery and try to take a pulse because the thumb has its own pulse and this will alter the count. Count the pulse for a minute and make a note of it. Compare it with the chart and see where you are at. If it is too high, then you must take steps to lower it. This will give you a good idea of your pulse rate.

Sometimes, you may not be able to find the radial pulse because you may simply not be able to identify it. In such cases, you can try to take the carotid pulse as this is relatively easy to find. Carotid arteries are the arteries that are present on the outer portion of the neck, on both the right and left side. You will need a clock or stop watch to monitor the pulse rate. Take your middle and index finger and touch the sides of your neck to feel the pulse. Once you have identified the carotid artery, then start the clock and count the pulses for sixty seconds. You must ensure never to use your thumb to find your pulse because your thumb also has a pulse and this can intervene with the actual results. After you get the rate, make a note of it in your book and consult your medical practitioner immediately if the pulse rate is too low. This artery will be easy to identify after you have completed a physically strenuous work or exercise. http://www.time-to-run.com/beginners/pulse.htm Once you have done these two steps, you must have definitely identified your pulse in either your wrist or neck. You are almost done with taking a pulse.

After you take your pulse, the final step is to analyze it and determine if you are healthy or not. The pulse must be within a certain range and if it way higher or lower than this range, then it is a cause of concern. The normal range is 72 beats per minute for men and 80 beats per minute for women. So, if you consistently higher or lower pulse, then you must check with your doctor as soon as possible. Sometimes, medications can increase your pulse rate. This is a big concern because it can indicate some serious side effects that may require medical attention. http://www.drugs.com/cg/how-to-take-a-pulse.html To prevent this problem, you must always check with your care provider before taking any medications. You must always listen to your body and must not try to push too hard. This is especially true when you are doing physically strenuous work and exercise. Know your limits and work around it. http://www.time-to-run.com/training/heart-rate/zone.htm . You must take extra care if you have a medical or family history of coronary problems. A good diet and healthy lifestyle can go a long way in maintaining a healthy pulse rate. These steps will help you to take the pulse and will also help you to identify the problems that it can indicate.