What is Pulse Rate?
The pulse rate is the number of times in a minute that an artery pulsates, indicating that a heartbeat has occurred. Pulse rate measurements are routinely taken whenever a patient enters a hospital, clinic, or doctor’s office for medical attention, as the pulse provides important information about the patient’s general health and condition. Some people also like to monitor their own pulses to keep track of their health and to monitor the progress of exercise programs. Many gyms and other athletic facilities even post reminders asking people to check their pulses. To take someone’s pulse, an area where a pulsating artery is located so that the number of pulses can be counted. The wrist and throat are popular locations because they are easy to access. In adults, the normal resting pulse rate is around 60-100 per minute, while athletes have a lower rate of 40-60 per minute. The pulse rate can be elevated when someone has exercised, and in fact an elevated rate is desired, because it indic
