Your pulse, or heart rate, measures how many times your heart contracts to expel blood into your circulatory system each minute. Your pulse is lower when you are at rest, and higher during exercise or other exertion, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Once a woman reaches adulthood, her pulse stays fairly consistent over time, notes MedlinePlus.
Location
According to MedlinePlus, you can feel your own pulse when you press two fingers over the radial artery on the inside of either wrist. You can also palpate the carotid artery on either side of the front of your neck. Your doctor may use a stethoscope to listen to your heart beat in your chest. In some instances, health care professionals may palpate your pulse behind your knees, inside your groin or on top of your foot.
Calculating Your Pulse
You can calculate your pulse rate by counting the number of times the artery throbs in a 30-second period and multiplying by 2, or you can count the beats for a full minute.
Normal Variations
Topend Sports publishes a table listing normal pulse rates for women of varying fitness levels. A 56-year-old woman in poor physical condition may have a pulse rate of 84+ beats per minute. If she improves her fitness level to good, her heart will contract only 65 to 68 times a minute. The normal pulse rate for athletic 56-year-old female is 56 to 59 beats per minute.
Considerations
MayoClinic.com physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist Dr. Edward R. Laskowski explains that you may also notice a change in your pulse rate when you are upset or stressed, if you develop an infection or other medical problem, if you gain or lose a significant amount of weight or when you take certain medications.
Warning
While your heart rate may vary from moment to moment, Dr. Laskowski recommends seeking medical attention if your pulse rate at rest is consistently below 60 or above 100 beats per minute. You should also notify your doctor if you have additional symptoms such as fainting, shortness of breath or dizziness.
