A pulse is the rhythmic expansion and contraction of arteries as the heart pumps blood through the body. It represents the number of times your heart beats in one minute, also known as your heart rate. Checking a pulse offers quick insights into a person’s circulatory status, particularly during emergencies or first aid situations, and can indicate underlying health issues.
Performing a Pulse Check Correctly
To accurately perform a pulse check, specific locations on the body where an artery passes close to the skin are used. The most common and accessible sites are the radial artery in the wrist and the carotid artery in the neck. For infants, the brachial artery on the inside of the upper arm, near the elbow, is often preferred.
To check the radial pulse, turn the person’s palm upward and place the tips of your index and middle fingers on the underside of their wrist, below the base of the thumb. Gently press with flat fingers until you feel a pulsation. Avoid using your thumb, as it has its own pulse, which could lead to an inaccurate reading.
For the carotid pulse, locate the groove on one side of the neck, just to the side of the windpipe or Adam’s apple. Place your index and middle fingers in this soft, hollow area and press gently. It is important to never press on both carotid arteries at the same time, as this can slow blood flow to the brain and cause dizziness or fainting.
In an emergency, such as before initiating CPR, check for a pulse for a minimum of 5 seconds but no more than 10 seconds. This brief assessment minimizes delays in starting chest compressions if no pulse is detected, helping maintain blood flow to vital organs.
During the pulse check, focus on the rate, rhythm, and strength of the pulsations. A regular pulse will have evenly spaced beats, while an irregular pulse indicates variations in the timing between beats. The strength can be described as strong, average, or weak, providing further information about blood circulation.
Interpreting Findings and Next Steps
After performing a pulse check, interpreting the findings guides the next course of action. A normal resting pulse rate for healthy adults ranges from 60 to 100 beats per minute, although this can vary based on factors like age, activity level, and gender. A normal pulse should feel regular and strong.
If no pulse is detected within 10 seconds, the heart may have stopped. Initiate chest compressions without delay to circulate blood to the brain and other vital organs. Continue performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) by alternating 30 compressions with 2 rescue breaths until emergency medical services arrive or the person shows signs of life, such as movement or breathing.
An abnormal pulse, such as one that is weak, irregular, too fast (tachycardia), or too slow (bradycardia), suggests the heart may not be pumping blood effectively. In such cases, even if a pulse is present, chest compressions might still be necessary to maintain adequate blood flow. If a pulse is detected but the person is not breathing or is only gasping, begin rescue breaths. For adults, administer one breath every 5-6 seconds, and for children or infants, one breath every 3-5 seconds. Monitor the pulse and breathing closely, rechecking the pulse every two minutes.