Practicing since Antiquity, taking the pulse is undoubtedly one of the oldest gestures of medicine. It consists in perceiving the pulsating blood flow by the heart, simply by palpating an artery.

Pulse refers to the pulsation of blood flow felt when palpating an artery. The pulse thus reflects the beating of the heart.

A pulse is taken by palpation by applying the pulp of the index finger of the middle and ring fingers on an arterial path. The light pressure exerted makes it possible to perceive a pulsatile wave.

The pulse can be taken in different areas of the body crossed by an artery:

• the radial pulse is the most commonly used, it is located on the inner side of the wrist;
• the ulnar pulse is also located on the inner side of the wrist, a little lower than the radial pulse;
• the carotid pulse is located in the neck, on either side of the trachea;
• the femoral pulse is at the fold of the aid;
• the pedal pulse is located on the dorsal face of the foot in line with the tibia;
• the popliteal pulse is in the hollow behind the knee;
• the posterior tibial pulse is on the inside of the ankle, near the malleolus.

When we take the pulse, we evaluate different parameters:

• the frequency: the number of beats is counted over 15, 30 or 60 seconds, the final result being to report over 1 minute to obtain the heart rate;
• the amplitude of the pulse;
• its regularity.

The doctor may also use a stethoscope to take the pulse. There are also special devices for taking the pulse, called oximeters.

Taking the pulse is still the easiest way to assess your heart rate. We can therefore take it in different situations:

• in a person with discomfort;
• after trauma;
• prevent stroke by detecting atrial fibrillation, the main risk factor for stroke;
• check that a person is still alive,
• etc.

You can also take the pulse to locate an artery.

In adults, we speak of bradycardia for a frequency of less than 60 beats per minute (BPM) and tachycardia when the value is greater than 100 BPM.