Pulse rate is one of the vital signs that measure basic human body functions as a way of identifying or monitoring health problems. Your pulse rate indicates the health of your heart by measuring the number of times your heart beats every minute. The number of heartbeats tells you how hard your body has to work to pump blood efficiently through your heart. If you have a healthy circulatory system, you will have a relatively low normal pulse rate because your body doesn't have to work hard to move blood through your arteries and veins or in and out of your heart.
Location
You can find your pulse and measure your pulse rate in various locations on your body where an artery runs just underneath the skin. These areas include the side of neck under your upper jaw, at your wrists and inner elbow, in your groin area, at the back of your knees, and on the top or inner side of each foot.
Measurement
Pulse is measured in beats per minute (bpm). The normal human pulse rate for children over the age of ten and healthy adults at rest falls within a range of 60 to 100 bpm. If you get a lot of exercise and are very fit, your pulse may be on the low end of the normal range. If you are an athlete, your rate may be as low as 40 bpm. That will be a normal pulse rate for you.To measure your pulse, lightly press your first (index) and second (middle) fingertips against your opposite wrist, below your thumb, or in the depressed area where your upper neck meets the underside of your jaw. Slowly move your fingers around the area until you feel your pulse. Using a clock or watch with a second hand, start counting on the minute and count your pulse for 1 full minute. Try to concentrate on your pulse beats, not on the clock itself. Instead of counting for a full minute, you can also count for 30 seconds and multiply the result by two to get your bpm.
Types
Your normal pulse rate, also known as resting heart rate, is an indication of your immediate health condition and is taken when you have been at rest, or sitting still, for at least 10 minutes. A good time to measure your resting heart rate is when you first wake up, before you get out of bed. Another type of pulse rate measurement is exercise pulse rate, which is an indication of your overall fitness level and is taken during exercise. According to the American Heart Association, exercise pulse rate is used to determine whether or not you are exercising within your target heart rate zone, which is the level at which you need to exercise to strengthen your heart and keep it strong.
Significance
A normal human pulse has a strong, steady rhythm. An irregular pulse rate, or a pulse rate that is higher, lower or weaker than normal, may be a sign of a medical problem. Your heart rate can increase as a result of strenuous activity, stress or the use of stimulants such as caffeine and tobacco. If your heart rate increases for no other reason, it could be a sign of dehydration, anemia or heart disease. A low pulse rate is normal for someone who is athletically fit, but for others may also indicate heart disease. A weak pulse rate can be a sign of blood clots, diseased arteries or heart failure.
Warning
Anything other than a normal pulse rate, including skipped or extra beats, or an artery at a pulse point that feels hard when pressed, may indicate a medical problem. Call your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms, or if your pulse does not return to normal within a few minutes of exercising.
