Know More About Normal Pulse Rate

The pulse is the rate of heartbeats per minute.

How the Test is carried out

The pulse is tested at the:

Back of the knees

Groin

Neck

Temple

Top or inner side of the foot

Wrist

In these location, an artery passes close to the skin.

To test the pulse at the wrist, put the index and middle finger over the underside of the other wrist, beneath the base of the thumb. Press firmly with flat fingers until you feel the pulse.

To test the pulse on the neck, place the index and middle finger just to the side of the Adam's apple, in the tender, hollow area. Press firmly until you locate the pulse.

Once you locate the pulse, calculate the beats for 1 full minute, or for 30 seconds and multiply by 2. This will give the beats per minute.

How to Prepare for the Test

To determine the resting heart rate, you must have been calm for at least 10 minutes. Do the action heart rate while you are doing some form of action.

How the Test Will Feel

There is a slight pressure from the fingers.

Why the Test is performed

Measuring the pulse can give very essential data about your health. Any change from normal heart rate can indicate a medical condition. Fast pulse may indicate an infection or dehydration. In emergency situations, the pulse rate can help analyze if the patient's heart is pumping.

The pulse measurement has other purposes as well. During exercise or immediately after activity, the pulse rate can give information about your fitness level and health.

What causes heart blockage?

Congenital Heart Block

One type of congenital heart block happens in the babies of women who have autoimmune diseases, such as lupus. Individual who have these diseases make proteins known as antibodies.

In pregnant women, these antibodies can cross the placenta. (The placenta is the body part that attaches the umbilical cord to the mother's womb.) They can hurt the baby's heart and lead to congenital heart block.

Acquired Heart Block

Numerous factors, such as illnesses, surgery, medicines, and other conditions, can lead to acquired heart block.

The most common cause of acquired heart block is damage to the heart from a heart attack. Other illnesses that can lead to heart block include coronary artery disease, myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle), heart failure, rheumatic fever, and cardiomyopathy.