A Guide to Checking Your Own Heart Rate

There are come medical conditions that if you have them, it may be important to check your pulse frequently. It's not that difficult . If you want to know how to check your heart rate, you need to know just where to look. There are various locations on your body where you can access your pulse.

Your Radial Pulse

Your radial pulse is the easiest and most common route in which to check your heart rate. To check your radial pulse. Follow your thumb down to the inside of your wrist. About one inch below where you palm begins, press down, you should feel a ridge. Press down with your index and middle finger. Your finger tips will be directly above and against your radial artery. You should feel your pulse. Do NOT use your thumb to check your pulse because sometimes, your can feel your pulse though your thumb. Your thumb has it's own pulse.

Your Brachial Pulse

To check your brachial pulse, you need to go up on the inside of your arm just behind your elbow. Press down lightly until you feel your pulse. Your finger tips will be over your brachial artery Upon pressing down, you should feel your brachial pulse.

Your Carotid Pulse

Your carotid pulse is located on the side of your neck. To feel a pulse on the side of the neck, place your index and middle finger on the hollow between the windpipe and the large muscle in the neck. Your fingers will be over the carotid artery. Press lightly until you feel a pulse.

Your Dorsalis Pedis Pulse

Your dorsalis pedis pulse is located on the top of your foot. Take off your shoe and sock. On the top of your foot, fun your index and middle fingers just below your big toe and your first toe. Press down lightly. You should feel your pulse. Checking your dorsalis pedis pulse is a good way to check your circulation in your lower extremities.

There are more places to access your pulse but these are by far the easiest places to locate it.