Finding your pulse
You can find your pulsation in your wrist or neck.
Reading: How do I check my pulse?
To find your pulse in your wrist :
- hold out one of your hands, with your palm facing upwards
- press the first (index) finger and middle finger of your other hand on the inside of your wrist, at the base of your thumb – don’t use your thumb as it has its own pulse
- press your skin lightly until you can feel your pulse – if you can’t find it, try pressing a little harder or move your fingers around
To find your pulse in your neck :
- press your first finger and middle finger to the side of your neck, just under your jaw and beside your windpipe – don’t use your thumb
- press your skin lightly to feel your pulse – if you can’t find it, try pressing a bit harder or move your fingers around
Checking your pulse
When you find your pulse, either :
- count the number of beats you feel for 60 seconds
- count the number for 30 seconds and multiply by 2
This gives you your heart rate – the act of times your heart beats per minute ( beats per minute ). You can besides check if your pulse is regular or guerrilla by feeling its rhythm for about 30 seconds. It ‘s very common to have periodic irregular heartbeats, such as miss beats. But an irregular pulsation can be a augury of a heart condition, like atrial fibrillation ( AF ), an irregular and often abnormally fast kernel rate. This is more likely if you ‘re 65 or older. See a GP if you ‘re apprehensive about your pulse.
What’s a normal heart rate?
Most adults have a rest heart pace between 60 and 100bpm. The fitter you are, the lower your resting affection rate is likely to be. For example, athletes may have a perch heart pace of 40 to 60bpm, or lower. See a GP to get checked if you think your heart rate is endlessly above 120bpm or below 60bpm, although it may plainly be that this is convention for you. Find out more about how to check your pulsation on the british Heart Foundation ( BHF ) web site .
Exercise and your pulse
If you check your pulse during or immediately after exercise, it may give an reading of your fitness degree. A heart rate proctor is besides useful for recording your heart rate when perch and during exercise. aerobic activities such as walk, running and swimming are good types of exercise because they increase your center and rest rates.
Read more: How to Paint and Refinish Your Stairs
Read more from the british Heart Foundation on what your target heart rate should be when exercising. If you have n’t exercised ahead, or have n’t for some time, see our Live Well section to read about the benefits of exercise and how much drill you should be doing .
page last reviewed : 22 March 2021
Next review due : 22 March 2024
