How to Take Your Pulse at Home

Heart rate, also called pulse, shows how many times the heart beats each minute. You can measure your pulse on your wrist using the radial artery or on your neck using the carotid artery.

Checking your pulse is a simple way to learn about your heart health, as pulse rates can differ from person to person depending on age, activity level, medication use, and overall fitness. Monitoring your pulse regularly helps detect irregularities or changes that might signal an underlying health issue.

Why Checking Your Pulse Matters

Knowing your pulse can help you:

Understand your normal heart rate range.
Identify possible arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats).
Monitor your response to exercise.
Track the effects of medications.
Catch early signs of cardiovascular conditions.

It is especially important for people with heart conditions, high blood pressure, or those taking medications that affect heart rate.

General Tips for Accurate Pulse Readings

Follow these steps to ensure accurate results:

Sit or lie down and rest quietly for several minutes before taking your pulse.
Take your pulse at the same time each day.
Avoid caffeine or strenuous activity just beforehand.
Count the beats for a full 60 seconds unless instructed otherwise by your healthcare provider.
Use a watch with a second hand or a timer on your phone.

Taking Your Radial Pulse (Wrist)

Sit comfortably and place one hand palm-side up.
Use the tips of your index and middle fingers from the opposite hand.
Locate the area between the wrist bone and the tendon on the thumb side of the wrist.
Press gently until you feel the pulse.
Do not press too hard, or you may block the pulse.
Count the number of beats in 60 seconds.
Write down the result.

The radial pulse is commonly used because it’s easily accessible and safe to check at any time.

Taking Your Carotid Pulse (Neck)

Sit or lie down comfortably.
Using the tips of your index and middle fingers, find the groove between your windpipe and the large muscle on either side of your neck.
Gently press in that spot to locate your carotid pulse.
Do not press both sides of the neck at the same time—this can slow the heart rate or make you feel faint.
Count the beats for 60 seconds.
Record your reading.

The carotid pulse may be stronger than the radial pulse and is often used during emergencies or when wrist pulses are weak or difficult to find.

What Your Pulse Means

Typical resting heart rate ranges:

Adults: 60 to 100 beats per minute (bpm).
Athletes: 40 to 60 bpm may be normal.
Children: 70 to 120 bpm depending on age.

A consistently high or low pulse could indicate an issue. Always speak with your doctor if you’re unsure.

When to Talk to a Doctor

Contact your healthcare provider if you notice:

A resting pulse that is consistently above 100 bpm (tachycardia)
A resting pulse consistently below 60 bpm (bradycardia), especially with symptoms
Irregular pulse or skipped beats
Dizziness, fatigue, shortness of breath, or chest discomfort with pulse changes

Your provider may order additional tests such as an EKG or a Holter monitor to further investigate.

Tools That Can Help

Beyond manual measurement, other tools include:

Fitness Trackers and Smartwatches: Many modern devices use optical sensors to measure pulse and track it throughout the day.
Home Blood Pressure Monitors: Some models also display heart rate readings.
Pulse Oximeters: These devices clip onto the fingertip and show both oxygen saturation and pulse.

While convenient, these tools are not always 100% accurate. Confirm unusual readings with a manual pulse check or consult your doctor.

Reminders

Take your pulse in a quiet environment to minimize distractions.
Avoid using your thumb to measure a pulse; it has its own detectable beat.
Stay relaxed and comfortable during the process.
If you’re helping someone else take their pulse, use calm and clear instructions.

Teaching children or older adults how to take their own pulse can be empowering and improve awareness of their cardiovascular health.