How to Take your Pulse

Taking your radial pulse

1. With your palm up, look at the area between your wrist bone and the tendon on the thumb side of your wrist. Your radial pulse can be taken on either wrist.

2. Use the tip of the index and third fingers of your other hand to feel the pulse in your radial artery between your wrist bone and the tendon on the thumb side of your wrist.

3. Apply just enough pressure so you can feel each beat. Do not push too hard or you will obstruct the blood flow.

4. Watch the second hand on your watch or a clock as you count how many times you feel your pulse.

5. Record your pulse rate.

(Note: You cannot actually see the artery in your wrist. The veins you can see are just veins and will not deliver a pulse. Make sure you are placing your fingers far to the side of your wrist.)

Taking your carotid pulse

1. Find the area on one side of your neck near your windpipe. Your carotid pulse can be taken on either side of your neck.

2. Put the tip of your index and long finger in the groove of your neck along your windpipe to feel the pulse in your carotid artery. Do not press on the carotid artery on both sides of your neck at the same time. This may cause you to feel lightheaded or dizzy, or possibly faint.

3. Apply just enough pressure so you can feel each beat. Do not push too hard or you will obstruct the blood flow.

4. Watch the second hand on your watch or a clock as you count how many times you feel your pulse.

5. Record your pulse rate.