The body’s pulse reflects the rhythmic expansion and recoil of arteries as blood is pumped from the heart. While various pulse points exist, the temporal pulse, derived from the superficial temporal artery, offers a readily accessible location for assessment and provides insight into localized blood flow.
Finding and Assessing Your Temporal Pulse
To locate your temporal pulse, gently place two or three fingertips on the side of your head, in front of and slightly above your ear, near the temple. This location is where the superficial temporal artery runs close to the skin’s surface. Apply light pressure; too much force can obstruct the pulse. It is helpful to feel this pulse on both sides of the head to compare strength.
Once located, assess its rate, rhythm, and strength. Rate is beats per minute: for a regular rhythm, count for 30 seconds and multiply by two; for an irregular rhythm, count for a full minute. Rhythm refers to the regularity of beats, ideally an even tempo with consistent intervals. Strength is the force of each beat, often graded: 0 (absent), 1+ (weak), 2+ (normal), 3+ (bounding).
What Your Temporal Pulse Can Indicate
Variations in the temporal pulse can provide general insights into a person’s health. A normal resting heart rate for adults typically falls between 60 and 100 beats per minute. A temporal pulse that is unusually fast, known as tachycardia (over 100 beats per minute), might suggest factors like stress, anxiety, physical exertion, or the use of certain medications or stimulants. Conversely, a slow temporal pulse, or bradycardia (below 60 beats per minute), can be normal for highly conditioned athletes but may also indicate underlying health conditions or medication effects.
Irregularities in the rhythm of the temporal pulse, such as an uneven tempo or inconsistent intervals between beats, could suggest an arrhythmia. While some irregularities, like sinus arrhythmia, are common in younger individuals and vary with breathing, an irregularly irregular pulse might warrant further investigation. A very weak or thready pulse might indicate compromised circulation, while a bounding pulse could suggest increased blood pressure.
The temporal pulse can be relevant in assessing specific conditions. For example, a throbbing pain in the temples accompanied by a noticeable pulse, or a diminished or absent pulse, could be a symptom of temporal arteritis (giant cell arteritis). This inflammatory condition affects the arteries, often causing headaches, scalp tenderness, and potentially vision changes, requiring prompt medical attention to prevent serious complications. Any self-assessment of the temporal pulse should be considered a general indicator and not a replacement for professional medical advice or a comprehensive medical diagnosis.