How to find the pulse: useful tips

The pulse is the result of the heart, which day and night incessantly disperses blood through the body. Our health directly depends on the work of this body, because the lack of nutrition in any part of our body can lead to a weakening of its functions and consequences in the form of insufficiency. And if the blood goes bad to the brain, it can lead to a heart attack or stroke and, as a result, a sad outcome.

But we will not frighten you, but proceed to study the rules for finding the pulse and familiarize yourself with the indicators of norms and deviations. With the help of this knowledge you can help not only yourself but also your loved ones.

When it is necessary to determine the pulse

First of all, this may be necessary when providing first aid. If a person is unconscious, a contraction of the heart will tell you whether he is alive or not and what actions are worth taking. Also, the pulse will indicate the patient's condition, the less it is felt, the heavier it is.

With the help of heart contractions, surgeons determine the condition of a patient during operations, especially complex ones, on which life depends. If the pulse is increased or, conversely, is reduced, then it can threaten health and lead to serious consequences.

But it is equally important to know your heart rate. Especially if you lead an active lifestyle. During training, an important aspect is the observance of the rate of the pulse, so as not to force the heart to work excessively.

If you suffer from heart disease, are overweight, have elevated cholesterol, or other prerequisites to complicate the work of the cardiovascular system, then your daily duties should include pulse measurement. For any abnormalities, consult a doctor.

Even if you are a healthy person, then knowing your heart rate and maintaining it will not be out of place. Since this is the basis of longevity and a happy life. Knowing how your heart behaves under increased loads, stress, or at rest, you can easily identify any deviation that occurs.

Where to look for the pulse

In a healthy person, the pulse should be felt on any large and medium arteries. But the most accurate indicators can be obtained only in several places:

1. Carotid artery. The largest of all. It passes symmetrically with the left and right side of the neck under the lower jaw. To find it, feel with your finger a place that is in the middle between the chin and the ear lobe.
2. Femoral artery. It runs from the abdominal and groin area. You can feel it if you lean your fingers against the place where the thigh begins and a fold forms in the lower abdomen.
3. Radial artery. This method is the most common. You must have seen him in the films and in the life safety lessons. Pulse can be found at the base of the thumb on the wrist.
4. Gill artery. Sometimes in accessible places, the pulse is not detectable. This happens for various reasons and should be found in a hard-to-reach place. This includes the gill artery. It runs along the path from the shoulder to the elbow between the biceps and the triceps. If you put your fingers under the muscle, then you should feel the contraction of the heart.

There are a few more places where you can determine the pulse, if you could not find it in standard ways.These include the temples, the back of the foot, the shoulder, the area around the navel and around the eyes. But these indicators can determine very few facts.

Pulse search rules

To say, not only is a person alive or not, but to learn many interesting things about his health, you need to know how to measure the pulse correctly. For this there is a set of certain rules:

1. Measure contractions with three fingers: index, middle and ring;
2. In the thumb passes a large vessel, which by its pulsation can confuse you;
3. Measure the pulse on the arm when it is located at the height of the heart;
4. The pulse rate changes when you change your position while seated and vice versa, therefore, when measuring your contractions, do not sit or stand up, but remain in the same position as you were;
5. Do not squeeze the vessels with force;
6. Count the number of cuts for 10 seconds and multiply the number by 6 - this will be the approximate number of beats per minute;
7. Pay attention to the rhythm of contractions, they occur at regular intervals or not;
8. Do not push too long on the carotid artery, as it nourishes the brain.

If the pulse is not palpable when measuring, the vessels are too dense, a rapid or slow heartbeat, rhythm disturbance is found through the mind, you should immediately consult a doctor to investigate problems in the cardiovascular system and the work of individual organs.

What are the rates of heart rate

Normal heart rate in women and men varies. If in the weaker sex it varies between 70-90 beats per minute, then in the strong one - 60-80. Also it is necessary to take into account the age and period of the day in which the measurement is made. For example, in the morning from 8 o'clock and before noon, the pulse reaches its highest speed, closer to three o'clock in the afternoon it becomes slower and after that picks up speed again to reach a maximum by 6-8 o'clock in the evening.

In the standing position, the number of cuts increases by 10-14 beats compared to if you were lying, and sitting increases by 4-6 beats. Also make the heart beat more often physical exertion, overexcitement, hot spices, caffeine, hot drinks and food.

The maximum heart rate should not exceed the individual human rate. Calculate it is very simple.Subtract 220 from your age and you will get the exact answer. If you take half of the obtained value, then you will find out your minimum acceptable rate. The average figure that you should be at rest and complete health can be obtained by multiplying the maximum rate by 0.7, and if you are over 60, then by 0.6.

It should be noted that a reduced pulse rate is not such a terrible indicator as an increased one. If you have tachycardia, that is, rapid heartbeat, sooner or later it will have a bad effect on the work of the whole body, so you need to be monitored by a doctor.

What else is important to know about the pulse

What matters is not only the speed of the pulse, but also its rhythm. If strokes occur spontaneously, it is called arrhythmia. At the same time, the pulse can be either rapid or slow, there can be shortness of breath, dizziness and pain in the chest area.

This symptom indicates the presence of heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, or occur due to nicotine or alcohol dependence, stress, medication. In some places, the pulse can be badly palpable.This may indicate a lack of nutrition in individual organs and requires the advice of a doctor.

Close attention should be paid too weak or filamentary pulse. Such an indicator indicates serious health problems, requires urgent hospitalization, as it can lead to a sad outcome.

Daily measurement of the pulse does not take you much time and effort, but in case of health problems, it will be the first bell about malfunctions in the body, help to identify the disease at an early stage and cure it without any special problems. Take care of your heart and be healthy.

Video: how to determine the pulse of a person in the carotid artery