Pulse (Heart Rate)
The number of heartbeats per unit of time, usually expressed as beats per minute.
See also: How the Heart Works, How the Blood Circulation Works
Taking Your Pulse
When your heart pumps blood through your arteries, it creates a pulse that you can feel on the arteries close to the skin‘s surface. For example, you can feel the pulse on the artery inside of your wrist, below your thumb.
You can count how many times your heart beats by taking your pulse. You will need a watch with a second hand.
To find your pulse, gently place your index and middle fingers on the artery located on the inner wrist of either arm, below your thumb. You should feel a pulsing or tapping against your fingers.
Watch the second hand and count the number of pulses you feel in 30 seconds. Double that number to find out your heart rate or pulse for 1 minute.
The usual resting pulse for an adult is 60 to 100 beats per minute.
To find your resting pulse, count your pulse after you have been sitting or resting quietly for at least 10 minutes. NIH – National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute