Mayo Clinic Care Network Content
Articles

How to take your pulse

Content

Your pulse is your heart rate, or the number of times your heart beats in one minute. You can take your pulse using the radial artery in your wrist or the carotid artery in your neck.

Some medical conditions can be a factor in determining the best place for you to take your pulse. For example, if you have heart disease or longstanding diabetes, it's best to use the artery on your wrist.