How to check your pulse

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Pulse explained

What is your pulse? What is your heart rate?

A pulse is your heart rate. It's the number of times your heart beats in one minute.

[Right-hand side of the image shows a woman in glasses with dark hair and a red top feeling the pulse on her wrist. On the left-hand side of the image is a red background with the words find and take your pulse easily in white text.]

Where can I find my pulse?

The easiest places to find your pulse are: 

Your wrist

1. Put one of your hands out so youre looking at your palm with your elbow slightly bent.
2. Use the first finger (the one you point with) and middle finger of one hand and place the pads of these fingers on the inside of the wrist on your other hand, at the base of your thumb.
3. Press lightly and feel the pulse. If you cannot feel anything press slightly harder.

Your neck (carotid pulse)

Your carotid pulse can be felt on either side of your neck, just below your jaw.

1. Sit or lie down.
2. Place your first and middle finger on the side of your neck, just below your jaw and next to your trachea (windpipe).
3. Press gently until you feel your pulse and if you cannot feel anything, press harder. 
   

Checking your pulse

How do I check my pulse?

Before you check your pulse, sit or lie down for five minutes in case any activity changes the reading. Do not smoke or drink caffeine before checking your pulse.

Once youve found your pulse, continue to feel it for 30 seconds. Check to see if it feels normal and steady or irregular. You can work out your heart rate in beats per minute (bpm) by:

• counting the number of beats in your pulse after 60 seconds, or
• counting the beats for 30 seconds and doubling it.

For an accurate reading, check your pulse at the same time every day. 

Normal heart rate

What is a normal pulse?

• A normal heart rhythm should be regular and steady. A missed beat here and there is nothing to worry about but check with your GP if youre unsure.
• You should have a resting heart rate between 60 and 100 bpm.

An irregular pulse could be a sign of an arrhythmia (an abnormal heart rhythm), such as atrial fibrillation (AF). This is more likely if you are 65 or older. Your heart rate may be lower if you do lots of exercise or take beta blocker medicine such as bisoprolol.

Your pulse may increase during the day when doing your normal activities and when youre exercising. It's usually checked when youre resting but measuring it after exercise to see how quickly it returns to normal can also help show how fit you are.

If your pulse feels irregular, you should check for a full 60 seconds. If you're concerned, talk to your GP.

Low heart rate

What if my heart rate is low?

For some people its ok to have a low heart rate (called bradycardia) under 60 bpm. This might be the case if:

• youre very fit and active, for example youre an athlete
• youre asleep 
• youre taking medicines like beta-blockers.

You should see you GP if youre:

• feeling faint, or you have fainted
• feeling very tired (fatigued) or have a lack of energy (lethargic)
• feeling dizzy.

High heart rate

What if my heart rate is high?

Its fine if your heart beats over 100 times a minute during exercise, because your body needs more oxygen. Its normal for your heart rate to increase if youre dehydrated (your body needs water) or are unwell.

If you have a fast heart rate (called tachycardia) for no obvious reason or when you're at rest, its important to see your GP. 

• Get more information about your target heart rate range when exercising
  
• Read our Heart Matters article that talks about fitness trackers and if they can detect heart problems.
• Find out what heart rate monitors would work best for you.

Get support

Talk to your GP or call to speak to one of our cardiac nurses on our Heart Helpline.

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