Your pulse is stipulated by your heart beating. As your heart beats and forces blood through your body, you can feel a throbbing sensation (the pulse) by putting your fingers over one of your arteries at any point where the artery comes close to the surface of your skin, such as your wrist, neck, or upper arm. Counting your pulse rate is a simple way to estimate how fast your heart is beating. Pulse rate measurements are often done by a health professional as part of a physical examination or in an emergency, but you can easily learn to measure your own pulse rate as well.

A pulse is usually described in terms of its rate, which is the number of heartbeats per minute (bpm). However, a person taking a pulse may also note information about the rhythm and strength of the heartbeat and whether the blood vessel feels hard or soft. An irregular rhythm, a weak pulse, or a hard blood vessel may indicate a medical condition that needs further evaluation.

The pulse rate is measured by counting the beats in a set period of time (at least 15 to 20 seconds) and multiplying that number to get the beats per minute. When you exercise, have a fever, or are under stress, your heart rate usually speeds up to meet the body's increased need for oxygen and nutrients carried in the blood. As a result, your pulse rate normally varies from minute to minute. Unless a pulse rate is being measured to check a person's fitness level, or in an emergency, a pulse rate is usually measured when the person has been resting for 10 minutes or more. That measurement is called a resting pulse rate. It is an accurate and simple evaluation of the health of the heart and circulatory system.

Pulse Measurement
Results

Normal resting heart rate

Many factors affect a person's normal heart rate, including age, activity level, and time of day. The chart below shows the normal range of a resting heart rate (pulse rate after resting 10 minutes) in beats per minute, according to age. In general, the lower your resting heart rate, the more efficient your heart and the healthier your are.

A person's pulse usually has a steady or regular rhythm. An occasional pause or extra beat is normal. Talk to your doctor if you notice frequent skipped or extra beats. Normally, your heart rate increases slightly when you inhale deeply and drops slightly as you exhale. You can check this normal variation in your pulse rate on yourself.

Abnormal resting heart rate

• Resting heart rates above the levels indicated on the chart may be due to activity, fever, stress, an overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism), anemia, stimulants (caffeine, amphetamines, decongestants, asthma medications, diet pills, and cigarettes), and various forms of heart disease. If your heart rate is consistently high, consider seeing your doctor or health professional for a complete physical exam.
• Resting heart rates below the listed guidelines may be due to an underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism), heart medications, or various types of heart disease. Fitness programs that include aerobic exercise (such as running, swimming, cycling, and fast walking) will gradually lower your resting heart rate. Contact your doctor if your resting heart rate is often or significantly below these guidelines, especially if you have periods of lightheadedness or if you occasionally pass out.
• A weak pulse may be a sign of a problem with the heart's ability to pump as much blood as the body needs (heart failure). It may also be a sign of shock or a circulation problem, such as a partially blocked or narrowed blood vessel. A weak or absent pulse in a leg may be a sign of significant blood vessel disease in the leg (peripheral vascular disease). A healthy blood vessel feels soft when checking the pulse. A hard blood vessel suggests hardening of the arteries (arteriosclerosis).

Heart rate during exercise

Many people take their pulse rate during or after exercise, to check their heart rate and to determine whether they are exercising at a healthy pace. Your heart rate (and pulse) during and after exercise will be higher than your resting heart rate. Your heart rate during peak exercise, and how quickly your heart rate increases as you exercise, can be used to estimate your level of fitness.

During exercise, your heart should be working hard enough to obtain a healthy effect but not so hard that the heart is overworked. See the recommended target pulse rates based on age in the chart below. Try to keep your heart rate somewhere in the target range for your age when you exercise.

These ranges are based on a formula that estimates your maximum heart rate as 220 minus your age. Most people's target heart rate during exercise is 60% to 80% of their maximum heart rate. However, this formula target range may not apply to you, especially if you are taking medications (such as beta-blockers) that slow your heart rate or if you have an artificial pacemaker or if you have certain forms of heart disease. In these cases, or if the target heart rate for your age does not feel right to you, consult your doctor for your target heart rate when you exercise.

Target heart rate ranges during exercise
Age (years)	minimum–maximum heart rate (bpm)
15	123–164
20	120–160
25	117–156
30	114–152
35	111–148
40	108–144
45	105–140
50	102–136
55	99–132
60	96–128
65	93–124
70	90–120
75	87–116

• An irregular or rapid heartbeat (palpitations). Palpitations can be persistent or may come and go (episodic).
• Lightheadedness.
• Dizziness.
• Fainting.
• Shortness of breath.
• Chest pain.

Also, contact a health professional if your pulse rate does not come down within a few minutes after you have stopped exercising.